Examples of Diastereomers A concern in teaching stereoehemistry is convincing students that chirality and stereoisomerism are not just peculiar properties of colored balls. Examples of familiar objects which exhibit enantiomerism are a help, and fortunately these are plentiful. Examples of diastereomers are, however, much more difficult to find, as previously noted in THIS JOURNAL.' In this context, we have found it helpful to use as an example of enantiomers a rrmm with a drmr which may he right- or left-handed. Most students are familiar with houses or anartments which are mirror imaees. - so this is readily accepted. The logical extension is then u,considrr a room w~rhtwo doom, thereby introducing the concept of diastereomrrs. The example can also arcornm~datethe existence of both meso nnd d.1 stereuisomrrs. A related ennmple with whichsome students may be familiar is the gate-leg table, this commonly occurs ap a d.1 form, although a m e w form is also pos~~hle.
' Stirling. C. J.. J. @EM.
E m . . 55,32 (1978).
Willlam Bell Division 01 Science and Techmiagy Red Rocks Community College 12600 West Sixth Avenue Oolden, CO 80401
Volume 61
Number 10 October 1984
901
