
Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead
Stereochemistry is described as "the study of diverse spatial arrangements of atoms present in molecules" within the field of chemistry. Stereochemistry is the scientific explanation of a certain area of science and technology, which generally necessitates a brief historical context. Stereochemistry is often known as "space chemistry," as it deals with the spatial arrangements of atoms and groups in a compound.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Stereochemistry, atoms, isomers, polarized light, atoms, Enantiomers
Stereochemistry
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The three-dimensional layout of the atoms that make up a molecule can change its structure. Stereochemistry is associated with the modulation of these atoms' arrangements. Because it concentrates on stereoisomers, this discipline of chemistry is typically referred to as 3-D chemistry (chemical compounds with the different spatial arrangements in three dimensions but with the same chemical formula). One branch of stereochemistry studies molecules possessing chirality, which is a geometric attribute of molecules that prevents them from being overlaid on their mirror images. Dynamic stereochemistry is another branch of 3-D chemistry that studies the influence of diverse spatial arrangements of atoms in a molecule on the frequency of a chemical reaction.
Read More:-
| Chapter Related Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ester Hydrolysis | Fehling Test | Iodoform Test |
| Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky Reaction | Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction | Butyric Acid |
Types of Stereoisomers
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The types of stereoisomers are:
- Atropisomerism: Stereoisomers that occur from limited rotation around one or more single bonds are known as atropisomers.
- Cis-trans Isomerism: Cis-trans Isomerism has the same atoms that are bonded in the same way but in a different structure.
- Conformational Isomerism: Conformational stereoisomerism is a type of stereoisomerism in which isomers can only be transformed via formally single bond spins.
- Diastereomers: Diastereomers are non-enantiomeric optically active isomers.
- Enantiomers: An enantiomer is one of two optical isomers whose shapes cannot be overlaid on their mirror images.
Stereoisomerism
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
"The isomerism generated by non-similar groupings of atoms or functional groups relating to an atom in space," according to stereoisomerism. These isomers have identical constitutions as one another, but their atoms are arranged differently spatially. Enantiomers and diastereomers are the two forms of stereoisomers that can be identified.
Enantiomers
- An Enantiomerism is a form of isomerism in which two isomers are exact opposites of each other, and these isomers are referred to as enantiomers.
- Enantiomers are steady, insulating molecules with different spatial arrangements in three-dimensional space.
- They are almost always found in pairs.
- Enantiomers have common properties. Their contact with a field of polarised light, on the other hand, may fluctuate.
- They turn the plane-polarized radiation in opposite directions, so if one turns in the right direction, the other turns to the left.
Diastereomers
- Diastereomers are two isomers that do not function as mirror images of one another.
- There can be up to '2n' diastereomers in a molecule with 'n' asymmetric carbon atoms.
- Epimers are diastereomers that differ from one other primarily at one stereocenter.
- The physical characteristics and chemical reaction of these isomers vary.
Importance of Stereochemistry
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
- The configuration of the elements in three-dimensional space has a significant impact on the molecule's capabilities.
- The thalidomide incident in Germany in 1957 is an example of the importance of stereochemistry.
- The drug thalidomide was first sold as an over-the-counter anti-nausea medication. Pregnant women took it to help with stomach pain.
- However, due to the process of metabolism, it was observed that the medicine has undergone racemization and generated a blend of enantiomers in the human body.
- One of these enantiomers is suspected of causing genetic disruption in developing fetuses and resulting in birth malformations in children.
- This is driven by the fact that over 5000 kids were delivered with defective limbs shortly after thalidomide became accessible over-the-counter.
- As a reaction to the medicine's unexpected adverse reactions, stricter drug regulation regulations were established (only 40 per cent of the babies born with these deformities survived).
- The accident highlights the necessity of stereochemistry.
Stereochemistry and Regiochemistry
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Stereochemistry describes the structure of stereoisomers. The main difference between stereochemistry and regiochemistry is that regiochemistry depicts the atomic arrangement and modulation of these compounds, whereas stereochemistry describes the end result's atomic structure of a chemical reaction.
Read More:-
Sample Questions
Ques: What is Superposable? (1 mark)
Ans: The ability to place an object over the other in such a way that all of the objects are seen.
Ques: What do you mean by Chirality? (2 marks)
Ans: In many areas of research, chirality is a prominent aspect of asymmetry. The word "chirality" comes from the Greek word "side," which refers to a common chiral component. An object or structure is chiral if it can be differentiated from its mirror image; that is, it cannot be placed over it.
Ques: What is the difference between stereochemistry and regiochemistry? (1 mark)
Ans: The main difference between regiochemistry and stereochemistry is that regiochemistry depicts the arrangement of atoms of the ultimate product of a chemical reaction, whereas stereochemistry shows the atomic structure and alteration of atoms.
Ques: Are racemic mixtures optically active? (2 marks)
Ans: Because enantiomers have identical and contrary unique rotations, a racemic mixture has no optical effect. As a result, it's difficult to distinguish a racemic mixture from an achiral element just based on polarimetry. A racemic combination makes up chiral molecules, although they have no total visual activity.
Ques: Which can make a difference in optical isomers? (2 marks)
Ans: Polarized light, a component that can vary the line of polarization of plane polarised light is said to be optically active. When a ray of polarised monochromatic light (light with only one frequency) passes through a solution of an optically active substance, the light's plane of polarization rotates.
Ques: What is the molecular formula for the alkane of the smallest molecular weight which possesses a stereogenic centre? (1 mark)
Ans: C7H16, the compound which shows optical isomerism, has a chiral carbon. So, an unsymmetrical alkane can show the optical isomerism. The smallest alkane is 7 carbon alkanes is 3 methyl hexane which have 3rd carbon as chiral carbon.
Ques: Compounds have varied atomic arrangements in space but the same atoms connected to each other are referred to as? (1 mark)
Ans: Stereoisomerism, Stereoisomer varies from structural isomers that have the same molecular formula but fluctuate in their chain links or sequence. Molecules that are stereoisomers of one another have the same structural isomer by nature.
Ques: What is the relationship between objects and their mirror images? (2 marks)
Ans: Symmetric objects and their mirror images can be overlaid. They're the same thing. Asymmetric objects and their mirror duplicates are not superposable. They are two separate objects. Chiral molecules and their mirror images are distinct molecules in the instance of molecules. Enantiomers are a type of stereoisomer that contains chiral compounds and their mirror images.
For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
Check-Out:






Comments