Which stereoisomer is the meso-form? Why?

trans--1,2-dibromocyclopropane
OR
cis--1,2-dibromocyclopropane

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 2, 2016

The cis isomer is the meso form.

Explanation:

trans−1,2−dibromocyclopane generates 2 optical isomers, R,R, and S,S, where each chiral carbon is bound to halide. It is fairly clear that the meso has a plane of symmetry bisecting CH2 that equates the cis-bromine atoms. If you can't see this on paper, then make a couple of models.

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