Question

What will be the number of stereo isomers of a compound contain only two asymmetric carbon atoms?

• A. $2$
• B. $3$
• C. $4$
• D. $5$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $4$

Knowing the number of asymmetric carbon atoms, one can calculate the maximum possible number of stereoisomers for any given molecule as follows: If n is the number of asymmetric carbon atoms then the maximum number of isomers = $2^n$. A compound with 2 asymmetric carbon atoms has $2^2=4$ stereoisomers.