Ribose has five carbon atoms, of which three are asymmetric. what is the maximum number of stereoisomers that may exist for ribose?

8 is the maximum number of stereoisomers that may exist for ribose.

Explanation:

Stereoisomers are usually calculated by a formula 2 ^n

n= no. of chiral carbons.

As the ribose is a pentose sugar, it contains 3 chiral carbons.

Hence calculated as :

                2^n = 2^3 = 8

Hence, 8 is the maximum number of stereoisomers that may exist for ribose.

a

explanation:

i would say it is