Stereochemistry

Question 1

Structural isomers occur when

Answer 1

the atoms are bonded together in a different order in each
isomer

Question 2

Stereoisomers

Answer 2

occur when the order of the bonding in the atoms is the same but the
spatial arrangement of the atoms is different in each isomer. There are two types of
stereoisomer, geometric and optical.

Question 3

Geometric isomers:

Answer 3

can occur when there is restricted rotation around a carbon-carbon double bond or a
carbon-carbon single bond in a cyclic compound
♦ must have two different groups attached to each of the carbon atoms that make up the
bond with restricted rotation
♦ can be labelled cis or trans according to whether the substituent groups are on the
same side (cis) or on different sides (trans) of the bond with restricted rotation
♦ have differences in physical properties, such as melting point and boiling point
♦ can have differences in chemical properties