#review

Definition

• Molecules with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements
  • Differences in structural arrangements lead to very different properties and interactions with other molecules
• Think: - Why does different uranium isotopes lead to different nuclear bomb yields?

Types of Isomers

Structural

• Different covalent arrangement of atoms (bonding sequence)
  • Think: - Tert-butyl vs Isobutyl

Geometric

• Same bonding sequence, but different in spatial arrangement around c-atoms
  • Think: - C=C cannot rotate, so placement of its substituents matter

Enantiomers (Optical)

• Molecules that mirror each other, share bonding sequence
  • Think: Left v. Right Hand
• Has a Chiral Carbon

Chirality

• Each of the four groups attached to the carbon must be different
  • Think: - Each of these four groups is like a substitutent. Do they differ?

Key Isomers (memorize)