Types of Isomerism

Structural Isomerism

Stereoisomerism

Optical Isomerism

Geometric Isomerism

Carbon Isomerism

Optical Isomerism

Is a type of stereochemistry

Occurs when there are 4 different substituents attached to one chiral center

Isomers are non-super imposable mirror images of one another

Classified as the (+) isomer / D isomer / R isomer and the (-) isomer / L isomer / S isomer

Chiral Compounds

Contain an asymmetric carbon atom

Have a chiral center with four different groups arranged around it

Examples include 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and amino acids

Stereoisomerism in Organic Chemistry

Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different spatial arrangements

Geometric isomerism occurs when atoms differ in their spatial arrangement

Two different types of stereoisomerism are optical isomerism and geometric isomerism

Identifying Chiral Centers

Involves finding carbon atoms bonded to four different groups

Chiral centers must have four unique groups and be non-superimposable mirror images