Stereoisomerism

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Stereoisomerism is a concept in chemistry that refers to the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules. It is a type of isomerism where molecules have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space. This difference can have significant effects on the properties and reactions of the different isomers.

Types of Stereoisomerism[edit | edit source]

Stereoisomerism can be divided into two main types: geometric isomerism (or cis-trans isomerism) and optical isomerism.

Geometric Isomerism[edit | edit source]

Geometric isomerism occurs when there is restricted rotation in a molecule, which can happen due to the presence of a double bond or a cyclic structure. The most common example is the cis-trans isomerism, where the isomers differ in the position of substituents relative to a plane of reference.

Optical Isomerism[edit | edit source]

Optical isomerism occurs when a molecule can exist in two forms that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, known as enantiomers. This type of isomerism is due to the presence of a chiral center, usually a carbon atom with four different groups attached to it.

Importance of Stereoisomerism[edit | edit source]

Stereoisomerism is of great importance in several fields, including pharmacology, biochemistry, and material science. In pharmacology, for example, different stereoisomers of a drug can have different levels of efficacy and side effects. In biochemistry, the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in biomolecules determines their function in biological systems.

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD