stereoisomerism

Question 1

what is stereoisomerism ?

Answer 1

• the atoms making up the isomers are joined up in the same order, but have a different arrangement in space

Question 2

what are the 2 types of stereoisomerism

Answer 2

• E/Z isomerism and optical isomerism

Question 3

what can only produce optical isomers ?

Answer 3

• chiral carbon centres called ENANTIOMERS

Question 4

what functional groups can only produce E/Z isomers ?

Answer 4

• alkenes

Question 5

why do E/Z isomers exist ?

Answer 5

• due to restricted rotation about the C=C bond

Question 6

what single carbon-carbon bonds do easily ?

Answer 6

rotate

Question 7

what must a molecule satisfy to have E/Z isomerism (2 criteria) ?

Answer 7

• a carbon-carbon double bond must be present
  AND
• each carbon in the double bond must be attached to 2 different groups

Question 8

what is a E/Z isomerism ?

Answer 8

• a type of stereoisomerism in which different groups attached to each carbon of a C=C double bond may be arranged differently in space because of the restricted rotation of the C=C bond