Meso compound

Definition

A meso compound is a molecule with multiple stereocenters that is superimposable on its mirror image due to an internal plane of symmetry. Despite having chiral centers, it is achiral and does not exhibit optical activity.

Related terms

Chiral Center:

An atom in a molecule that has four different substituents attached, leading to non-superimposable mirror images.

Optical Activity:

The ability of a molecule to rotate the plane of polarized light, characteristic of molecules lacking an internal plane of symmetry.

Enantiomers:

Pairs of molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, often showing different behaviors in chiral environments