Chapter 4, Problem 41P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The more likely structure for the natural product having the given specific rotation is to be determined out of the two proposed structures.

Concept introduction:

A chiral carbon atom is attached to four different atoms or groups of atoms.

A chiral compound contains at least one chiral carbon atom and no elements of symmetry.

Molecules can be achiral in spite of having chirality centers. If a compound has two or more equivalently substituted chiral centers and an internal plane of symmetry, that compound is called a meso compound.

Meso compounds are optically inactive.