Isomers Flashcards
Isomer
Have same molecular formula but different structure
Structural isomer
Aka constitutional isomer - all they share is molecular formula/weight
Least similar of all isomers
Physical properties
Processes that don’t change the composition of matter
Eg. melting point, boiling point, solubility, odour, colour, density
Chemical properties
Reactivity of molecule with other molecules and as a result changes in chemical composition -functional groups
Stereoisomer
Same chemical formula as well as same atomic connectivity but differ in spatial arrangements - can be conformational or configurational
Conformational isomer
Aka conformer - most similar - are the same molecule just at different points in their natural rotation around alpha bond
-single bonds free to rotate
Staggered (anti) conformation
Two largest groups are antiperiplanar - minimal steric repulsion - 180 apart - most energetically favourable
Gauche
Type of staggered conformation where two largest molecules are 60 apart
Eclipsed
Two largest groups are 120 apart - must pass through eclipsed when going from anti to gauche
Totally eclipsed
Two largest groups directly overlap with 0 degrees between them - highest energy state and least favourable - synperiplanar
Ring strain
Seen in cyclic groups - arises from angle strain, torsional strain and non-bonded/steric strain
Angle strain
Results when bond angles deviate from their ideal values by being stretched or compressed
Torsional strain
Results when cyclic molecules must assume confirmations that are eclipsed or gauche
Non-bonded strain
Van der waals repulsion - when non adjacent atoms or groups compete for the same space - dominant source of steric strain in flagpole interactions of cyclohexane boat
Three conformations of cyclohexane
Chair, boat, twist(skew boat)
Most stable form of cyclohexane
Chair conformation - eliminates all 3 types of strain
Axial
Up and down - bonds perpendicular to plane of ring
Equatorial
Parallel / sticking out horizontal