How many stereoisomers are possible for threonine?
To determine the number of stereoisomers possible for threonine, we need to consider its chiral centers. Threonine has four chiral centers, represented by the asterisks (*) in its chemical structure:
HOOC-CH(NH2)-CH(OH)-CH3
*
*
*
*
Each chiral center can have two different possible configurations: R (rectus) or S (sinister).
Using the mathematical formula 2^n, where n is the number of chiral centers, we can calculate the number of stereoisomers. In the case of threonine, since it has four chiral centers, the calculation would be 2^4 = 16.
Therefore, threonine can potentially exist in 16 different stereoisomers.