Chapter 5: Stereochemistry
The term stereoisomer has been introduced in Chapter 4, on the topic of cis/trans isomer of disubstituted cycloalkane. Stereoisomers are interesting phenomenon that exist in nature, and also have great impacts on the properties of organic molecules. In this chapter, we will have in-depth discussions on stereoisomers and stereochemistry.
Learning Objectives for this chapter:
- Understand and apply the concepts of different types of isomers.
- Recognize, draw and name geometric isomers with the E/Z naming system.
- Explain chirality and identify chirality carbon and chiral molecules.
- Understand and describe the optical activity of chiral molecules and do calculations related to optical activity.
- Determine the absolute configuration (R/S) of chirality carbon with the C.I.P rule.
- Draw and recognize molecules with one or more chirality centers by different types of formulas, for example, perspective formula, Fisher projection, Newman projection, to show and determine the configuration of chirality carbons correctly.
- Understand and identify the meso compound and determine the chirality of molecules with more than one chiral centers.
- Identify the isomeric relationship, for example, constitutional isomers, geometric isomers, enantiomers and diastereomers, between different molecules.
