Stereoisomers (Different Types)

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Last updated 11:11 PM on 6/23/26
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7 Terms

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Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry is the study of the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in molecules and how that arrangement affects a molecule's properties and reactions.

EX: Two molecules can have:

  • The same molecular formula

  • The same connectivity of atoms

  • But different 3D arrangements

These different 3D arrangements can make them different molecules.

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Isomers

Isomers are molecules that share the exact same molecular formula (the same number and types of atoms) but have different structural arrangements or spatial orientations (see image)

For example, both of these have the formula C₂H₆O:

  • Ethanol: CH₃CH₂OH

  • Dimethyl ether: CH₃OCH₃

Since they have the same formula but are different compounds, they are isomers.

<p><strong>Isomers</strong> are molecules that share the exact same molecular formula (the same number and types of atoms) but have different structural arrangements or spatial orientations (see image)</p><p>For example, both of these have the formula C₂H₆O:</p><ul><li><p>Ethanol: CH₃CH₂OH</p></li><li><p>Dimethyl ether: CH₃OCH₃</p></li></ul><p>Since they have the same formula but are different compounds, they are <strong>isomers</strong>.</p>
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Constitutional Isomers

Same molecular formula, but atoms are connected differently anywhere in the molecule.(different bonding order) (see image). EX: Molecular formula: C₂H₆O

You can have: Ethanol: CH3CH2OH or also Dimethyl Ether: CH3OCH3 They both have:

  • 2 carbons

  • 6 hydrogens

  • 1 oxygen

But they differ in how atoms are connected:

Molecule

Connectivity

Ethanol

C–C–O

Dimethyl ether

C–O–C

So they are constitutional isomers.

<p>Same molecular formula, but atoms are connected differently anywhere in the molecule.(different bonding order) (see image). EX: Molecular formula: C₂H₆O </p><p>You can have: Ethanol: CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>OH or also Dimethyl Ether: CH<sub>3</sub>OCH<sub>3</sub> They both have:</p><ul><li><p>2 carbons</p></li><li><p>6 hydrogens</p></li><li><p>1 oxygen</p></li></ul><p>But they differ in how atoms are connected:</p><table style="min-width: 50px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Molecule</p></th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Connectivity</p></th></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Ethanol</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>C–C–O</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Dimethyl ether</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>C–O–C</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So they are <strong>constitutional isomers</strong>.</p>
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Stereoisomers

The same molecular formula, The same connectivity (atoms are attached in the same order), But a different three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in space

<p>The same molecular formula, The same connectivity (atoms are attached in the same order), But a different three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in space</p>
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Two types of Stereoisomers

Enantiomers & Diastereomers

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Enantiomers

Enantiomers are stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. If you take one enantiomer and rotate it in every possible way, it still won't perfectly match the other. Like your hands, Mirror images, But you cannot place one exactly on top of the other, Your hands are a classic example of enantiomers.

<p>Enantiomers are stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. If you take one enantiomer and rotate it in every possible way, it still won't perfectly match the other. Like your hands, Mirror images, But you cannot place one exactly on top of the other, Your hands are a classic example of enantiomers.</p>
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Diastereomers

Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are NOT mirror images of each other.

They still have:

  • Same molecular formula

  • Same connectivity (atoms attached the same way)

But they differ in 3D arrangement, and they are not mirror-image pairs. (which is the difference with enantiomers, which are mirror images).

<p><strong>Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are NOT mirror images of each other.</strong></p><p>They still have:</p><ul><li><p>Same molecular formula</p></li><li><p>Same connectivity (atoms attached the same way)</p></li></ul><p>But they differ in <strong>3D arrangement</strong>, and they are <strong><u>not </u>mirror-image pairs</strong>. (which is the difference with enantiomers, which are mirror images).</p>