Counting stereoisomers
A molecule has 3 chiral centers and no internal plane of symmetry. How many stereoisomers does it have?
Answer C: explanation for every choice
A
This equals the number of chiral centers, not the number of isomers.
B
This uses 2n instead of 2ⁿ.
C
Correct. The maximum number of stereoisomers is 2ⁿ = 2³ = 8.
D
This uses n² instead of 2ⁿ.
TakeawayMaximum stereoisomers = 2ⁿ. Meso compounds reduce the count.
See your set score →
Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID cp143.