3.6.6

Isomerism

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Structural Isomerism

Structural isomers are molecules which have the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms in space.

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Chain isomers

  • Chain isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but one is linear and one is branched. For example:
    • Butane is a linear molecule with the molecular formula C4H10.
    • Methylpropane is a branched molecule with the molecular formula C4H10.
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Position isomers

  • Position isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but have their functional group in different places. For example:
    • Butan-1-ol has a hydroxyl group attached to carbon-1.
    • Butan-2-ol has a hydroxyl group attached to carbon-2.
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Functional group isomers

  • Functional group isomers are isomers that have had their structures changed so that they have different functional groups. For example:
    • Propanoic acid.
    • Methyl ethanoate.

Stereoisomerism

Stereoisomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula, same functional groups and same functional group positions but different arrangements of atoms in space.

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Alkene stereoisomerism

  • Stereoisomerism can be seen in alkenes.
  • It is possible in alkenes because of the presence of double bonds:
    • Unlike single bonds, double bonds are rigid and you cannot rotate around them.
    • So alkenes can display stereoisomerism at the double bond.
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An example

  • The simplest way to understand what this means is with an example.
    • Above are the two different alkenes, (E)-but-2-ene and (Z)-but-2-ene.
      • The molecules are the same in every way, except for the atoms' position in space.
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What do E and Z mean?

  • E and Z come from the German words 'entgegen' and 'zusammen' for 'opposite' and 'together'.
    • An E-alkene has the larger groups on opposite sides.
    • A Z-alkene has the larger groups on the same side.
  • A good way to remember this is that Z alkenes have large groups on the 'zame zide'.

Cahn-Ingold Prelog Rules

The Cahn-Ingold Prelog rules help us assign E/Z isomerism to more complicated molecules.

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The Cahn-Ingold Prelog rules

  • They help to distinguish between E and Z isomers for more complicated cases.
  • The rules work by numbering the four directly connecting atoms in order of their atomic mass number. From this, we give them a 'priority'.
    • The highest atomic number gets priority 1.
    • The second highest atomic number gets priority 2, and so on.
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E vs Z

  • E:
    • Priority 1 and 2 are on different sides of the double bond.
      • I.e. The two atoms with the highest atomic mass number are on different sides.
  • Z:
    • Priority 1 and 2 are on the same side of the double bond.
      • I.e. The two atoms with the highest atomic mass number are on the same side.
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An example: E

  • The shown but-2-ene is an E geometry because the two methyl groups are on opposite sides of the double bond.
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An example: Z

  • The shown but-2-ene is a Z geometry because the two methyl groups are on the same side of the double bond.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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