Question

The optical isomers which are not mirror images of each other are called:

• A. Enantiomers
• B. Mesomers
• C. Diastereomers
• D. Metamers

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Diastereomers

Diastereomers (sometimes called diastereoisomers) are a type of a stereoisomer. Diastereomerism occurs when two or more stereoisomers of a compound have different configurations at one or more (but not all) of the equivalent (related) stereocenters and are not mirror images of each other.

Enantiomers are chiral molecules that are mirror images of one another. Furthermore, the molecules are non-superimposable on one another. This means that the molecules cannot be placed on top of one another and give the same molecule.

Meso compounds or Mesomers are achiral compounds that has multiple chiral centers. It is superimposed on its mirror image and is optically inactive despite its stereocenters.