Browse by Stream
QnA
Home
QnA
Go To Your Study Dashboard

Get Answers to all your Questions

header-bg qa
  • Home
  • NCERT
  • The letters ‘D’ or ‘L’ before the name of a stereoisomer of a compound indicates the correlation of configuration of that particular stereoisomer.

The letters ‘D’ or ‘L’ before the name of a stereoisomer of a compound indicates the correlation of configuration of that particular stereoisomer. This refers to their relationship with one of the isomers of glyceraldehyde. Predict whether the following compound has ‘D’ or ‘L’ configuration.

Answers (1)

To identify whether the compound configuration is ‘D’ or ‘L’ we check the presence of the -OH group. As the -OH group is present on the left side of the fifth carbon atom, the compound configuration is ‘L’.

The D- and L- configuration is a shorthand way to describe enantiomers, or non-superimposable mirror images. For example, D-glucose and L-glucose are enantiomers. 

Here are some tips for using the D- and L- configuration:

  • The D- and L- system can only be used when there is a main chain and the main substituent groups can be clearly chosen.
  • To use the D- and L- system, orient the main carbon chain vertically with the lowest numbered carbon at the top.
  • Arrange the structure so that the horizontal bonds to the chiral carbon extend toward you and the vertical bonds extend away from you. 

Most natural sugars have a D-configuration, and most natural amino acids have an L-configuration. 

Posted by

infoexpert23

View full answer

Similar Questions

Latest Question