Questions/Stereochemistry/Does the presence of...
Chirality & SymmetryStereochemistry

Does the presence of a Center of Symmetry (COS) or Plane of Symmetry (POS) guarantee optical inactivity?

Expert Answer

Yes. If a molecule possesses a POS or COS, it is superimposable on its mirror image and thus achiral (optically inactive), even if it has chiral centers (e.g., Meso compounds).

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