Isomerism Flashcards
What is a structural isomer
Compounds with same molecular formula but different structural formulas so atoms are joined in a different order
3 types of structural isomers
Chain
Positional
Functional group
What are chain structural isomers
Different arrangements of carbon chain
What are position isomers
Same functional group but in different positions
What are functional group structural isomers
Different functional groups
What is a stereoisomer
Molecules with same structural formula but different 3d orientations of atoms in space
Two types of stereoisomers
Geometric and optical
What are geometric stereoisomers
Occur around double bonds due to restricted rotation of double bond the molecules do not readily inter convert
What are optical isomers
Molecules which are isomers which are non superimposable mirror images of each other
What does non superimposable mean
You can tell them apart in mirror images
What is a chiral carbon
A carbon atom that bonds to 4 different atoms or groups of atoms
Why does a chiral protein suggest it can have optical isomers
It will be asymmetrical so will be non superimposable with other molecules the same
What is a key property of optical isomers
They rotate the plane of plane polarised light, each isomer will rotate the light by the same amount but in opposite directions
What happens to plane of polarised light in a racemic mixture
It doesn’t get rotated as opposite rotations cancel each other out
What is a racemic mixture
A 50:50 mix of optical isomers
