Disomer

Disomer is a term used in chemistry to describe a specific type of isomer where two molecules have the same molecular formula but differ in the arrangement of their atoms in space. Disomers are a subset of stereoisomers, which also include enantiomers and diastereomers.

Types of Disomers

Disomers can be classified into two main types:

• Cis-trans disomers: These disomers differ in the relative positioning of substituents around a double bond or a ring structure. In the cis form, substituents are on the same side, while in the trans form, they are on opposite sides.
• Conformational disomers: These disomers differ by rotation around a single bond. They are often interconvertible at room temperature.

Properties

Disomers exhibit different physical and chemical properties despite having the same molecular formula. These differences can include variations in boiling point, melting point, solubility, and reactivity.

Applications

Understanding disomerism is crucial in various fields such as pharmacology, where the activity of a drug can be significantly affected by its isomeric form. For example, one disomer of a drug might be therapeutically active, while another might be inactive or even harmful.

Related Concepts

• Isomer
• Stereoisomer
• Enantiomer
• Diastereomer
• Cis-trans isomerism
• Conformational isomerism

See Also

• Chirality (chemistry)
• Molecular geometry
• Chemical structure
• Pharmacology