Isomer Flowchart

Question 1

Same molecular formula? – Yes

Answer 1

Isomers

Question 2

Same molecular formula? – No

Answer 2

Not isomers!

Question 3

Do the isomers have the same connectivities to their atoms? – Yes

Answer 3

Stereoisomers

Question 4

Do the isomers have the same connectivities to their atoms? – No

Answer 4

Constitutional isomers

Question 5

Can the stereoisomers be interconverted by rotation around single bonds? – Yes

Answer 5

Conformational isomers

Question 6

Can the stereoisomers be interconverted by rotation around single bonds? – No

Answer 6

Configurational isomers

Question 7

Is the isomerism in the configurational isomers due to restricted rotation? – Yes

Answer 7

Cis trans isomers, aka geometric isomers

Question 8

Is the isomerism in the configurational isomers due to restricted rotation? – No

Answer 8

Optical configurational isomers

Question 9

Are the optical configurational isomers non-superimposable mirror images? – Yes

Answer 9

Enantiomers

Question 10

Are the optical configurational isomers non-superimposable mirror images? – No

Answer 10

Disasteromers