Stereochemistry

Question 1

Isomers

Answer 1

Same molecular formulas, but different structural formulas

Question 2

Constitutional Isomers

Answer 2

Differ in atomic connectivity

Question 3

Stereoisomers

Answer 3

Atoms connected in the same order, but differ in their spatial arrangement about one or more asymmetric or “chiral” carbons

Question 4

Enantiomers

Answer 4

A class of stereoisomers that are mirror images of one another

Question 5

Diastereomers

Answer 5

A class of stereoisomers that are not mirror images of one another

Question 6

Epimers

Answer 6

Differ at only one of several chiral carbons (a type of diastereomer)

Question 7

Anomers

Answer 7

Differ at the chiral carbon formed on ring closure (alpha versus beta sugars)

Question 8

What is the convention for naming sugars?

Answer 8

Based on the configuration of glyceraldehyde: when drawn in the Fischer projection, the hydroxyl group (of the highest numbered chiral carbon) is on the right side for D- and left side for L- sugars.

** All our proteins are L- proteins, all our sugars are D- sugars.