Isomers Flashcards
What are structural isomers?
Isomers which have the same molecular formula but a different structural formula.
What are positional isomers?
Structural isomers where the position of the functional group is different.
What are branched chain isomers?
Structural isomers where the main carbon chain is a different length due to the formation of side groups.
What are functional group isomers?
Structural isomers where the same number and type of atoms have been arranged in such a way that different functional groups form.
How do optical isomers differ from another?
Optical isomers are mirror images of each other.
What does “superimposable mean”?
When you stack an optical isomer on top of another and you get the same molecule.
What does non-superimposable mean?
When you place optical isomers on each other and they aren’t the same molecule.
Why are hands a good analogy for optical isomers?
Because if you place then on top of each other they are different.
What makes a carbon chiral?
Carbon atoms bonded to four different atoms.
Why are chiral atoms important in optical isomers?
So that you cant have mirror image isomers.
What is the difference between two optical isomers?
The only property that differs is the direction in which they rotate plane-polarised light.
