What are stereoisomers?

stereoisomers are compounds that have atoms in a different spatial three -dimensional orientation, although the atoms are connected in the same order and have the same molecular formula. A classic example is a mirror image between compounds, such as right and left hand. The compounds that differ in this way are known as enantiomers . They can be distinguished in how polarized light rotates. One compound can have different atoms that have stereoisomers, and these are known as chiral centers .

differences in stereoizomerism can deeply affect the biological properties of compounds. For example, there were enantiomers of thalidomide drugs, which in the mid -20th century caused many congenital defects. Only one of the enantiomers caused congenital defects. In most of the chiral compounds, there is only one form in nature.

Enantiomers are also known as optical isomers . Traditionally compounds that were chemically related to the well-known HT-Rukou setLa known as d compounds . Their enantiomers were known as l compounds . This nomenclature is still applied to amino acids and carbohydrates. The most naturally occurring amino acids are in the form of L, while carbohydrates, such as a biologically active form of glucose, are in the form of d. Every chiral placement in the molecule is assigned R or S, originating in Latin rectus for transport or ominous. There is a code for assigning priorities to atoms attached to the chiral center.

There is another type of stereoizomer that is not a mirror image. They have double links with substitution for hydrogen on both sides of the bond. These compounds are known as cis-trans isomery . This terminology also comes from Latin.

Imagine two carbon atoms connected by double binding. At both ends of the molecule are two chlorine atoms along with two hydrogen atomsu. Both chlorine atoms may be on the same side of double bonds or may be on the opposite sides. Atoms on the same side are cis , for on this side . If they are on the other hand, they are trans , for across .

There is a newer, other stereoisomer name system for some ambiguity. This system is based on German terminology and uses the atomic substituent number to assign priority. If the atoms with a higher atomic number are on the same side, the molecule is Z for zusammen or together . If they are on different sides, the compound is for entGegene or opposite . This is not always interchangeable with cis and trans .

It is worth noting that compounds can have the same molecular formula, but will not be stereoisomers. This is the case of structural isomers that have their atoms in different orders. For example, there are several forms of bromobutan. CH3CH2CH2CH2BR and CH2BRCH2CH333They share the same atoms, but they are not stereoisomers.