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.