Organic Chemistry Online

Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry is the study of the three-dimensional spatial orientation of molecules i.e. stereoisomerism. The chart below and the examples that follow depict isomerism in general.

Examples:

1.   Structural or constitutional isomers: same molecular formula but differ in the way the various groups
      are connected to each other.
   

2.   Conformational isomers: stereoisomers that differ only by rotation along single bonds.
     

3.   Geometric (cis-trans) isomers: stereoisomers that differ in configuration about a C-C double bond or
      cyclic structure, e.g. for 2-butene: