Are the following statements correct?a. A compound can

Solution:

Here we have to explain the following statements are correct or not.

The given statements are,

a. A compound can have a maximum of 2n stereoisomers, where n equals the number of stereocenters.

b. A compound can have a maximum of 2n stereoisomers, where n equals the number of asymmetric centers.

Key points:

Stereoisomer: - Atoms are connected in the same order, but differ in spatial orientation is called as stereoisomers.

Asymmetric Center: - When a C-atom is bonded to four different groups than that atom is said to be a chiral center or asymmetric center.

R and S configuration: - It is a naming system of Chiral Carbon atoms. The nomenclature has been carried out depending on the priority of the atoms bonded to the chiral center. The atom with highest molecular weight has the highest priority.

The double and triple bond species are treated as multiple bonds to the site.

For example:

Meso Compound: - A molecule with stereocenters that is superposable on its mirror image is called as meso compound.

Step 1

The statement (a) is correct. It is known that the organic molecules have 2n number of (meso compounds it form) stereoisomers, where n is a total number of stereocenters. Stereocenter is a tetrahedral atom with four different groups. That means for two stereocenters, there are four stereoisomers are possible.

For example: