Quiz 3 Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are stereoisomers?
2 different molecules with the same molecular formula, same atomic connectivity, but a different spatial arrangement.
Are stereoisomers superimposable?
No
What is a stereocenter?
Atom about which interchange of two groups would give the other stereoisomer.
What is a chiral object?
Not superimposable on its mirror image?
What are enantiomers?
Stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other?
What is an achiral object?
An object that is superimposable on its mirror image. They are NOT stereoisomers, they are just different views of the same compound
What is an asymmetric carbon?
A carbon atom ttached o 4 different groups
Are asymmetric carbons always stereocenters?
Yes
Any molecule with exactly 1 asymmetric carbon will always be…
Chiral
Between chiral and achiral molecules, which must have an internal plane of symmetry?
Achiral
In achiral environments, how do R and S enantiomers behave?
Identically
What is a racemate?
A mixture of exactly equal amounts of 2 enantiomers
How do racemates differ from enantiomers in achiral environments?
They have different properties
What are atropisomers
Chiral molecules without asymmetric carbons due to lack of bond rotation
Why arent amines chiral?
they rapidly interconvert between enantiomers, preventing chirality.
What are diastereomers
Stereoisomers that are not mirror images
What is the difference between enantiomers and diastereomers?
Diastereomers are not mirror images. They also have dfferent physical properties even in achiral environments, while enantiomers have identical physical properties in achiral environments
What is the maximum number of stereoisomers in a molecule?
2^n, where n is the # of asymmetric carbons
What are mesocompounds?
Compounds that have asymmetric carbons but are achiral. Must have more than 1 carbon to achieve this.
