Solution Found!
In 5-3, you drew the enantiomers for a number of chiral compounds. Now go back and
Chapter 5, Problem PROBLEM 5-7(choose chapter or problem)
In Problem 5-3, you drew the enantiomers for a number of chiral compounds. Now go back and designate each asymmetric carbon atom as either (R) or (S).
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
In Problem 5-3, you drew the enantiomers for a number of chiral compounds. Now go back and designate each asymmetric carbon atom as either (R) or (S).
ANSWER:Step 1 of 10
Assigning R and S configuration
Stereoisomers are compounds with the same connectivity of atoms and differ only in the spatial arrangement of groups around the central atom. The number of stereoisomers for a compound containing n asymmetric carbon is calculated using the formula 
Therefore, they have the same IUPAC name. An absolute configuration is added as a prefix to the IUPAC name to distinguish the stereoisomers.
To assign the absolute configuration, the groups in the compound are given priority based on the atomic weight of the atom directly attached to the chiral center.
If the priority of the groups from highest to lowest is in the clockwise direction, the compound has an R configuration. If it is anticlockwise direction, the compound has an S configuration.
The group with the lowest priority must be below the plane to assign the configuration.