The original definition of meso is “an achiral compound that has chiral diastereomers.” Our working definition of meso is “an achiral compound that has chiral centers (usually asymmetric carbon atoms).” The working definition is much easier to apply because we don’t have to envision all possible chiral diastereomers of the compound. Still, the working definition is not quite as complete as the original definition. See if you can construct a double allene that is achiral, although it has chiral diastereomers, and is, therefore, a meso compound under the original definition. The allene structure is not a chiral center, but it can be a chiral axis.

Organic Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry
2nd Edition
ISBN:9780618974122
Author:Andrei Straumanis
Publisher:Andrei Straumanis
Chapter12: Chirality
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 18E
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The original definition of meso is “an achiral compound that has chiral diastereomers.” Our working definition of meso is “an achiral compound that has chiral centers (usually asymmetric carbon atoms).” The working definition is much easier to apply because we don’t have to envision all possible chiral diastereomers of the compound. Still, the working definition is not quite as complete as the original definition. See if you can construct a double allene that is achiral, although it has chiral diastereomers, and is, therefore, a meso compound under the original definition. The allene structure is not a chiral center, but it can be a chiral axis.

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