Meso compounds are those in which molecules are superimposed on their mirror images even in the presence of a chiral center. A meso compounds are optically inactive compounds where the rotation caused by one molecule is canceled by an equal and opposite rotation caused by another molecule that is the mirror image of the first. This is the same reason other achiral molecules are also optically inactive.
If any of the above structures is turned end to end, the two structures will be superimposable, this means they will coincide in every aspect.
We can often identify a meso structure by the fact that one half of the molecule is the mirror image of the other half (in at least one of its conformations). For meso-2,3-dichlorobutane, imagine the molecule being cut by a plane lying where the dotted line is drawn.
This molecule has a plane of symmetry, and cannot be chiral.
(**Note: If we do not see a plane of symmetry, however, this does not necessarily mean that the molecule is chiral.)
Examples of meso compounds
There are many examples of meso compounds:
FAQs
What are meso compounds?
Meso compounds are those in which molecules are superimposed on their mirror images even in the presence of a chiral center.
How to identify meso compounds?
We can often identify a meso structure by the fact that one half of the molecule is the mirror image of the other half (in at least one of its conformations).
Are meso compounds achiral?
Meso compounds are achiral diastereomers of chiral stereoisomers.
Are meso compounds diastereomers?
Meso compounds diastereomers.
Are meso compounds enantiomers
Meso compounds are different from enantiomers.
Why are meso compounds optically inactive?
A meso compounds are optically inactive compounds where the rotation caused by one molecule is canceled by an equal and opposite rotation caused by another molecule that is the mirror image of the first.
