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Isomer: Difference between revisions
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====Enantiomers==== | ====Enantiomers==== | ||
An enantiomer is one of two stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other that are non-superimposable (not identical). The model used to convey the idea of isomers being non-superimposable is a person's hands. One's left and right hands are the same except for opposite orientation. Organic compounds that contain a chiral carbon usually have two non-superimposable structures. A chiral carbon is a carbon attached to four completely different functional groups. The enantiomers will have a "left-hand" and a "right-hand" molecule. This property is used in naming the isomers: the "right-hand" is given the prefix (R) and the "left-hand" is given the prefix (S). Enantiomers rotate in plane-polarised light, and this property is also used in naming the enantiomers as either clockwise (prefix of dextro- or +) or anti-clockwise (prefix of levo or -). | An enantiomer is one of two stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other that are non-superimposable (not identical). The model used to convey the idea of isomers being non-superimposable is a person's hands. One's left and right hands are the same except for opposite orientation. Organic compounds that contain a chiral carbon usually have two non-superimposable structures. A chiral carbon is a carbon attached to four completely different functional groups. The enantiomers will have a "left-hand" and a "right-hand" molecule. This property is used in naming the isomers: the "right-hand" is given the prefix (R) and the "left-hand" is given the prefix (S). Enantiomers rotate in plane-polarised light, and this property is also used in naming the enantiomers as either clockwise (prefix of dextro- or +) or anti-clockwise (prefix of levo or -). | ||
[[File:Enantiomer.png|298px|thumb|center|Example of enantiomerism in lactic acid, showing left-hand and right-hand sides]] | |||
==Chirality== | ==Chirality== | ||