How many stereoisomers (enantiomers and diastereomers) are there of this molecule. Note the possible symmetry of the stereoisomers is a function of the absolute configurations.

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The molecule is 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorohexane: it is symmetrical with n = 4 chiral centres (even n, identical ends). For a symmetrical molecule with even n the number of stereoisomers is 2^n-1 + 2^n/2-1 = 2³ + 2¹ = 8 + 2 = 10, of which 8 are optically active (4 enantiomeric pairs) and 2 are meso.

Ans. Total optical isomers = 10 (8 optically active + 2 meso).

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