Question

How many stereogenic centers are there in Lovastatin (Mevacor: a cholesterol – lowering drug)?

A. $8$
B. $9$
C. $10$
D. $11$

Answer 1

Hint: Stereogenic centers are defined as a point that consists of different substituents in which when two substituents are interchanged with each other, it leads to the formation of stereoisomers. A molecule is said to be chiral when they are superimposed on their mirror images.

Complete answer:
As we have discussed that a chirality center is also a stereo center that consists of ligands which are not superimposable on their mirror images.
Lovastatin is defined as a fatty acid ester that carries an additional methyl group on the carbocyclic skeleton. It is found in fungal species such as aspergillus terreus. Lovastatin is a drug that is used to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and it helps in treating the high blood cholesterol. It has some common side effects such as constipation, rashes, muscle pain, headache. There are some serious side effects also that include kidney failure, liver related problems.
In Lovastatin there are eight stereogenic centers. Stereogenic centers are defined as chiral carbons that are non-superimposable mirror images of itself.

Therefore, 8 stereogenic centers are there in Lovastatin. So, the correct option is (A).

Additional information:
- Chiral compounds are the compounds that do not show superimposable mirror images, whereas achiral compounds are the compounds that show superimposable mirror images of each other.
- Chiral compounds do not show planes of symmetry or center of symmetry, whereas achiral compounds show planes of symmetry or center of symmetry.

Note:
Stereo isomers are defined as the isomers which have the same molecular formula but they differ on the basis of the orientation of their atoms.
Stereo isomers are of two types:
- Diastereomers: They are defined as no-superimposable mirror images.
- Optical isomers: They are the mirror images of each other.