why can't meso compounds produce enantiomers but can produce diastereomers

[patricklin27]

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can someone explain this? im taking my DAT tomorrow and can't seem to wrap my head around isomers.

 

[Jokrino]

can someone explain this? im taking my DAT tomorrow and can't seem to wrap my head around isomers.

Because an enantiomer of a meso compound will give you exactly what you started with. They'd be identical.

 

[patricklin27]

thank you and one last question. When assigning R/S configuration, if H is in the front (or in the wedge position), can we just see the direction of the first three priority groups and then assume the configuration will be opposite? Like if H is in front, and the first three priority groups have a R configuration, can we assume that it is S? Is there any instances where H is in the front/wedge position and it is still the same configuration as if H is in the back position?

 

[Jokrino]

thank you and one last question. When assigning R/S configuration, if H is in the front (or in the wedge position), can we just see the direction of the first three priority groups and then assume the configuration will be opposite? Like if H is in front, and the first three priority groups have a R configuration, can we assume that it is S? Is there any instances where H is in the front/wedge position and it is still the same configuration as if H is in the back position?

Yes. And no to your last sentence.