Which of the following pairs of compounds are enantiomers?
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Answer
(1) [figure]
Solution
Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror images. In a Fischer projection the mirror image is obtained by interchanging the left and right groups on every carbon.
(1) First: –OH on C-2 right, on C-3 left (chiral, no plane of symmetry). Second: –OH on C-2 left, on C-3 right exact mirror image of the first, and not superimposable enantiomers.
(2), (3), (4): the second compound has both –OH on the same side meso form (plane of symmetry); the first is chiral the pairs are diastereomers.
Answer: (1)