What will be the number of configurational isomers of the compound
`overset(OH)overset(|)(CH_(2))-overset(OH)overset(|)(CH)-overset(OH)overset(|)(CH)-overset(OH)overset(|)(CH)-CH_(2)-OH`

Answer

To determine the number of configurational isomers of the given compound, we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Structure
The compound is represented as:
```
OH
|
CH2 - OH
|
CH
|
OH
|
CH
|
OH
|
CH2 - OH
```
This compound has multiple hydroxyl (OH) groups attached to carbon atoms.

### Step 2: Identify Stereocenters
Stereocenters (or chiral centers) are carbon atoms that have four different substituents. In the given compound, we need to identify which carbon atoms are chiral.

1. The first CH2 (attached to OH) is not chiral because it has two hydrogens.
2. The second carbon (CH) is chiral because it has one OH, one hydrogen, and two different groups (the CH2OH and the next carbon).
3. The third carbon (CH) is also chiral for the same reason as the second one.

Thus, we find that there are **2 chiral centers** in the compound.

### Step 3: Check for Plane of Symmetry
Next, we need to check if there is a plane of symmetry in the molecule. A plane of symmetry divides the molecule into two mirror-image halves.

Upon inspection, if we were to draw a line through the central carbon atoms, we can see that the two halves of the molecule are identical. Therefore, there is a plane of symmetry present.

### Step 4: Calculate the Number of Configurational Isomers
The formula to calculate the number of stereoisomers depends on the number of stereocenters (n) and whether there is a plane of symmetry.

- If there is a plane of symmetry and n is even:
\[ \text{Number of stereoisomers} = 2^{(n-1)} + 2^{(n/2)-1} \]

For our case:
- n = 2 (the number of stereocenters)
- Since n is even and we have a plane of symmetry:
\[ \text{Number of stereoisomers} = 2^{(2-1)} + 2^{(2/2)-1} = 2^{1} + 2^{0} = 2 + 1 = 3 \]

### Conclusion
The number of configurational isomers of the given compound is **3**.

---