ChemistryCode 9701
Isomerism: structural isomerism and stereoisomerism
What this topic asks you to be able to do
- outline what structural isomerism is and how it splits into chain, positional and functional group isomerism
- outline stereoisomerism and how it is subdivided into geometrical (cis/trans) and optical types (the E/Z naming system may be used, though it is not required)
- outline geometrical (cis/trans) isomerism in alkenes, and account for its origin through restricted rotation caused by π bonds
- explain what a chiral centre is and that one such centre produces two optical isomers (enantiomers) (be aware that a compound may have more than one chiral centre; meso compounds, and names such as diastereoisomers, are not required)
- identify, in a molecule whose structural formula is given, any chiral centres and any geometrical (cis/trans) isomerism, including in cyclic compounds
- deduce the isomers an organic molecule could have, starting from its molecular formula