Chapter 4 Organic Chemistry: Isomers

A set of vocabulary flashcards focusing on key terms related to organic chemistry and isomerism.

Isomers

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the arrangement of atoms.

Cis-Trans Isomerism

A type of stereoisomerism where compounds have the same connectivity but differ in the spatial arrangement of groups.

Chirality

The property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image.

Enantiomers

Pairs of molecules that are mirror images of each other and cannot be superimposed.

Chiral Center

A carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups, leading to chirality.

Diastereomers

Stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other.

Stereoisomers

Compounds that have the same bonding arrangement but different spatial orientations.

Constitutional Isomers

Isomers that differ in the sequence of connectivity of their atoms.

Achiral

Molecules that are identical to their mirror images and possess a plane of symmetry.

Fischer Projections

A two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional organic molecule, used to depict stereochemistry.

Cahn–Ingold–Prelog rules

A system for ranking the priority of groups attached to chiral centers to distinguish between R and S configurations.

Meso Compounds

Compounds that contain chirality centers but are superimposable on their mirror image, resulting in achirality.