Are All Optically Inactive Compounds Meso?

[utkarshakash]

Homework Statement

We know that all meso compounds are optically inactive but is the reverse true? Are all optically inactive compouds meso?

 

[Ygggdrasil]

No. Meso compounds are the subset of optically inactive compounds that are optically inactive despite the fact that they contain stereogenic carbons. There are also optically inactive compounds that contain no stereogenic carbons (and therefore are not meso).