stereochemistry
Spatial molecular arrangement
Stereochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within molecules.
Two molecules can have identical chemical formulas but different spatial configurations, affecting how they interact with other substances.
This matters especially in pharmaceuticals, where mirror-image molecules may have drastically different effects in the body.
Mirror-image molecular variant
- handednessPreferred limb dominance
- meso compoundAchiral molecule with stereocenters
- racemic mixtureEqual parts both enantiomers
- thalidomideSedative causing fetal deformities
Along a rotation line
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
- tetrahedralHaving four triangular sides
- sp3 hybridizationFour identical orbital lobes
- chair conformationStable hexagonal carbon arrangement
Fischer projection · Haworth projection · gauche · anti · eclipsed · staggered · cyclohexane
enantiomer
Mirror-image molecular variant
- handednessPreferred limb dominance
- meso compoundAchiral molecule with stereocenters
- racemic mixtureEqual parts both enantiomers
stereoisomers
Spatially distinct molecular forms
- cis-trans isomerismDiffering spatial atomic arrangements
axial
Along a rotation line
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
- tetrahedralHaving four triangular sides
- sp3 hybridizationFour identical orbital lobes
chair conformation · Fischer projection · Haworth projection · gauche · anti · eclipsed · staggered · cyclohexane
stereochemistrystoichiometry
Quantitative chemical reaction analysis
stereotype, chirality, chiral, stereophonic, stereoisomer, achiral, stereoscope