Isomers!

What are structural isomers?

What is a chain isomer?

What is a positional isomer?

What is a functional group isomer?

What is stereoisomerism?

Stereoisomers- isomers which have the same structural and molecular formula but a different arrangement in space

Why does steroisomerism only occur in alkenes?

Atoms can't rotate around the C=C bond (restricted rotation) -

What are examples of stereoisomerism?

• E/Z isomerism

• Cis/trans isomerism

What is Z-isomerism?

What is E-isomerism?

What groups are given higher priorities?

The groups with higher Mr.

When does cis and trans isomerism apply?

What is cis/trans isomerism?

What is optical isomerism?

Optical isomerism- a form of stereoisomerism, they have the same structural formula but different arrangement of atoms in space

What do optical isomers have?

• They have a chiral carbon centre (asymmetric carbon attached to 4 different groups)

• Have non-superimposable mirror images

• Have a tetrahedral shape

What can be said about a chiral molecule?

It is non-superimposable on its mirror image

What do enantiomers do to light?

What is a racemic mixture?

 When we have an equal amount of each enantiomer

What can be said about racemic mixtures in terms of rotating plane-polarised light?

Racemates do not rotate plane polarised light as the two enantiomers rotate light in opposite directions (clockwise and anticlockwise) and they cancel out.

Which mechanism produces a racemic mixture, please include a diagram as well and explain why there is a racemix mixture as product?

S_N1

Which mechanism produces optically active products, explain why?

S_N2