Meso Compounds in Stereoisomerism: When multiple stereocenters present in a molecule create an internal plane of symmetry, it leads to meso compounds. Tartaric acid contains two asymmetric centers which give rise to four configurations. But there are only three stereoisomers of tartaric acid: a pair of chiral molecules (enantiomers of each other) and the achiral meso compound. In the meso compound, we have an internal mirror plane that splits the molecule into two symmetrical sides, the stereochemistry of both left and right sides should be opposite to each other. This leads to auto cancellation of stereo activity of each other resulting in optical inactivity. Hence, meso compounds can not be assigned with either dextrorotatory (+) or levorotatory (–) designation. The internal mirror plane is simply a line of symmetry that bisects the molecule. Each half is a mirror image of the other half. Each half must contain a stereocenter to be a meso compound. These stereocenters must also have different absolute configurations. Due to internal symmetry, the meso molecule is achiral. Hence, this configuration is not optically active. The meso form is also a type of diastereomer. The remaining two isomers are enantiomeric pairs (D-and L-form).
The melting point of both enantiomers of tartaric acid is about 170°C while the mesotartaric acid has a melting point of 145°C. A meso compound is ‘superimposable’ on its mirror image. Examples in cyclic meso compounds include.
In summary, a meso compound should have two or more stereocenters, an internal symmetry plane and the stereochemistry should be R and S.
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