2. Stereochemistry is the study of the relative arrangement of atoms or groups
in a molecule in three dimensional space.
Stereo-isomers are molecules, which have the same chemical formula and
bond connectivity but different relative arrangement in three-dimensional
space.
WHAT IS
STEREOCHEMISTRY
5. Cis-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane is achiral because the molecule has an internal
plane of symmetry. Both structures above can be superimposed.
Trans-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane does not have a plane of symmetry so the
images are nonsuperimposable and the molecule will have two enantiomers.
Cis and Trans Cyclic
Compounds
6. Different molecules (enantiomers) must have different names.
Usually only one enantiomer will be biologically active.
Configuration around the chiral carbon is specified with (R) and (S).
(R) and (S) Nomenclature
7. CahnIngoldPrelog Rules
Assign a priority number to each group attached to the chiral carbon.
Priority is assigned according to atomic number. The highest atomic number assigned is
the highest priority #1.
In case of ties, look at the next atoms along the chain.
Double and triple bonds are treated like bonds to duplicate atoms.
(R) and (S) Nomenclature
8. Once priorities have been assigned, the lowest priority group (#4) should be
moved to the back if necessary.
Atomic number: F > N > C > H
Assign Priorities
9. Draw an arrow from Group 1 to Group 2 to Group 3 and back to Group 1.
Ignore Group 4.
Clockwise = (R) and Counterclockwise = (S)
Assign Priorities
Counterclockwise (S)
10. When rotating to put the lowest priority group in the back, keep one group in
place and rotate the other three.
Example
C
OH
CH3CH2CH2
H
CH2CH3
1
2
3
4
C
CH2CH3
CH3CH2CH2
OH
H
1
2
3
4
rotate
Clockwise
(R)
11. Same boiling point, melting point, and density.
Same refractive index.
Rotate the plane of polarized light in the same magnitude, but in opposite
directions.
Different interaction with other chiral molecules:
Active site of enzymes is selective for a specific enantiomer.
Taste buds and scent receptors are also chiral. Enantiomers may have different
smells.
Properties of Enantiomers
12. Enantiomers rotate the plane of polarized light in opposite directions, but same
number of degrees.
Optical Activity
14. Observed rotation depends on the length of the cell and concentration, as well
as the strength of optical activity, temperature, and wavelength of light.
Where (observed) is the rotation observed in the polarimeter, c is
concentration in g/mL and l is length of sample cell in decimeters.
Specific Rotation
[] =
(observed)
c l
15. Equal quantities of d- and l- enantiomers.
Notation: (d,l) or ()
No optical activity.
The mixture may have different boiling point (b. p.) and melting point (m. p.) from the
enantiomers!.
Racemic Mixtures
16. Equal quantities of d- and l- enantiomers.
Notation: (d,l) or ()
No optical activity.
The mixture may have different boiling point (b. p.) and melting point (m. p.) from the
enantiomers!.
Racemic Mixtures
17. Bromine is the priority and the hydrogen is number four. Carbon a is connected to
one oxygen and two hydrogens. Carbon b is connected to one oxygen and one
hydrogen.
However, because of the double bond, carbon b is treated as if it is connected to
two oxygens. The same rule is applied for any other double or triple bond. So, when
you see a double bond count it as two single bonds when you see a triple bond cut it
as three single bonds.
Double and triple bonds in the R and S
configurations
18. The arrow goes clockwise, however, the absolute configuration is S, because the
hydrogen is pointing towards us.
Double and triple bonds in the R and S
configurations
19. A meso compound is a stereoisomer with two or more chiral centres but no optical
activity due to an internal plane of symmetry. Mesomers are compounds with zero net
rotation of plane polarised light. In other words, mesomers are organic molecules that
have two chiral carbons that are identical, resulting in zero net rotation.
Meso compounds feature several chiral centres and are achiral substances. Despite
having stereocenters, it is overlaid on its mirror counterpart and is optically inactive.
Meso
compounds
20. Meso compounds feature chiral centres (sp3 hybridised tetrahedral
atoms bound to four distinct groups), yet they are achiral generally
due to symmetry.
As mentioned, a meso compound should include at least two chiral
s p 3 hybridised atoms with the exception of the nitrogen atom of a
tertiary amine and at least one internal plane that splits the
molecule into two mirror copies.
Meso
compounds