CHEM266 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Acetonitrile, Steric Effects, Sulfuric Acid

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Chemistry
• Course: CHEM266
• Professor: Steve Forsey

Document Summary

Isomers: different compounds, same molecular formula: structural isomers (aka constitutional isomers): atoms have different connectivity, can have different physical properties, stereoisomers: same connectivity, but differ in arrangement of atoms in space. Enantiomers: stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other, non-superimposable. Racemic mixture: equal mixture (50:50) of a pair of enantiomers, considered optically inactive. Diastereomers: stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other. Geometric isomers: a diastereomers that has a different spatial arrangement due to molecule rigidity (e. g. cis and trans isomers) Meso compounds: stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other and are superimposable. Higher priority substituents on the same side = z. Higher priority substituents on opposite sides = e. Mirror images of each other have handedness . When a molecule cannot be superimposed on its mirror image = chiral. Stereocenter or asymmetric atom = carbon bonded to four different substituents: molecules having one stereocenter are always chiral, must be sp3 hybridized (some exceptions)