Term
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Definition
The detailed stereochemical picture of a molecule, including how the
atoms are arranged in space. Alternatively, the (R) or (S) configuration at each asymmetric carbon
atom. ( |
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Term
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Definition
| Different from its mirror image. |
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Term
| chiral carbon atom (asymmetric carbon atom) |
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Definition
A carbon atom that is bonded to four different
groups. |
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Term
| conformers (conformational isomers) |
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Definition
Structures that differ only by rotations about single
bonds. In most cases, conformers interconvert at room temperature; thus, they are not different
compounds and not true isomers. |
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Term
| constitutional isomers (structural isomers) |
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Definition
Isomers that differ in the order in which their
atoms are bonded together. |
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Term
| D-L configurations (Fischer-Rosanoff convention) |
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Definition
D has the same relative configuration as
( + ) -glyceraldehyde. L has the same relative configuration as ( - ) -glyceraldehyde. |
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Term
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Definition
| Stereoisomers that are not mirror images |
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Term
| internal mirror plane ((T) |
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Definition
A plane of symmetry through the middle of a molecule, dividing
the molecule into two mirror-image halves. A molecule with an internal mirror plane of symmetry
cannot be chiral. ( |
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Term
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Definition
| Different compounds with the same molecular formula |
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Term
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Definition
An achiral compound that contains chirality centers (usually asymmetric carbon
atoms) |
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Term
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Definition
| A pair of nonsuperimposable mirror-image molecules: mirror-image isomers. |
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