1.5 Stereoisomerism: Enantiomers and Diastereomers

• Isomers

  • Molecules that share a molecular formula but differ either in the order of bonds  or the orientation of bonded groups in space.
• Stereoisomers

  • Isomers that have the same molecular and structural formulas but differ in the orientation of atoms in space.
• 2 types of stereoisomers:

  1. Enantiomers
  2. Diastereomers
• Enantiomers

  • Stereoisomers whose molecules are non-superimposable mirror images of each other.
• Diastereomers

  • Stereoisomers whose molecules are not mirror images of each other.
• Constitutional Isomerism

  • Isomers have the same molecular formula but a different bonding arrangement among the atoms.