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Stereoisomerism. AH Chemistry Unit 3(c). CHAIN ISOMERISM. STRUCTURAL ISOMERISM. POSITION ISOMERISM. Same molecular formula but different structural formulae. FUNCTIONAL GROUP ISOMERISM. GEOMETRICAL ISOMERISM.
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Stereoisomerism AH Chemistry Unit 3(c)
CHAIN ISOMERISM STRUCTURAL ISOMERISM POSITION ISOMERISM Same molecular formula but different structural formulae FUNCTIONAL GROUP ISOMERISM GEOMETRICAL ISOMERISM Occurs due to the restricted rotation of C=C double bonds... two forms… CIS and TRANS STEREOISOMERISM Same molecular formula but atoms occupy different positions in space. OPTICAL ISOMERISM Occurs when molecules have a chiral centre. Get two non-superimposable mirror images.
In alkenes CIS Groups/atoms are on the SAME SIDE of the double bond TRANS Groups/atoms are on OPPOSITE SIDES across the double bond
RESTRICTED ROTATION OF C=C BONDS Single covalent bonds can easily rotate. What appears to be a different structure is not. It looks like it but, due to the way structures are written out, they are the same. ALL THESE STRUCTURES ARE THE SAME BECAUSE C-C BONDS HAVE ‘FREE’ ROTATION
RESTRICTED ROTATION OF C=C BONDS C=C bonds have restricted rotation so the groups on either end of the bond are ‘frozen’ in one position; it isn’t easy to flip between the two. This produces two possibilities. The two structures cannot interchange easily so the atoms in the two molecules occupy different positions in space.
cis trans cis trans
Physical properties • Geometric isomers display differences in some physical propertiese.g. melting point, boiling point • Geometric isomerism also influences some chemical properties
All molecules have a mirror image – but for many molecules it is the same molecule.
For some molecules the mirror image is a different molecule (the mirror image is non-superimposable).
Left and right hands are an example of non-superimposable mirror images.
This usually happens when a molecule contains a C atom with four different groups attached (chiral / asymmetric C). • Such molecules are said to be chiral or optically active.
The optical isomers are called enantiomers. • These are distinguished by +/-, D/L or more correctly R/S. • A 50/50 mixture of the two enantiomers is called a racemic mixture and is optically inactive.
TASKSome of the following molecules are optically active. For each one, click its name below and decide whether it is optically active or not. Click again to see if you are correct. a) propan-2-ol e) butanone b) 2-chlorobutane f) 2-methylbutanoic acid c) 1-chlorobutane g) butan-2-ol d) 3-methylhexane h) 1-chloro-3-methylpentane
propan-2-ol NOT OPTICALLY ACTIVE Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
OPTICALLY ACTIVE 2-chlorobutane Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
1-chlorobutane NOT OPTICALLY ACTIVE Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
OPTICALLY ACTIVE 3-methylhexane Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
butanone NOT OPTICALLY ACTIVE Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
propan-2-ol NOT OPTICALLY ACTIVE Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
OPTICALLY ACTIVE 2-methylbutanoic acid Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
OPTICALLY ACTIVE butan-2-ol Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
OPTICALLY ACTIVE 1-chloro-3-methylpentane Click here to go back to the optical isomerism task
Molecules that are optical isomers are called enantiomers. • Enantiomers have identical chemical and physical properties, except: • their effect on plane polarised light • their reaction with other chiral molecules
The wave vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave.
A B D C E F POLARIMETERS can be used to analyse the effect optical isomers have on plane polarised light: A Light source produces light vibrating in all directions B Polarising filter only allows through light vibrating in one direction C Plane polarised light passes through sample D If substance is optically active it rotates the plane polarised light E Analysing filter is turned so that light reaches a maximum F Direction of rotation is measured coming towards the observer
Chiral molecules often react differently with other chiral molecules. • This is like the idea that a right hand does not fit a left handed glove – the molecule must be the correct shape to fit the molecule it is reacting with. • Many natural molecules are chiral and most natural reactions are affected by optical isomerism.
For example, most amino acids (and so proteins) are chiral, along with many other molecules. • In nature, only one optical isomer occurs (e.g. all natural amino acids are rotate polarised light to the left).
Many drugs are optically active, with one enantiomer only having the beneficial effect. • In the case of some drugs, the other enantiomer can even be harmful, e.g. thalidomide.
In the 1960’s thalidomide was given to pregnant women to reduce the effects of morning sickness. • This led to many disabilities in babies and early deaths in many cases.
S thalidomide (effective drug) The body racemises each enantiomer, so even pure S is dangerous as it converts to R in the body. R thalidomide (dangerous drug)
S carvone (caraway seed) R carvone (spearmint) Caraway Seed has a warm, pungent, slightly bitter flavour with aniseed overtones.
R limonene (oranges) S limonene (lemons)