stereoisomerism
What stereoisomerism means in Chemistry A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of stereoisomerism
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Reference: AQA
A form in which molecules have the same structural formula, so the same atoms joined to the same neighbours, but a different arrangement of those atoms in space.
Having the same atoms joined in the same order but arranged differently in space, and the forms cannot interconvert without breaking bonds.
The family of isomers that share the same structural formula but differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms.
A form of isomerism of which E/Z isomerism is an example, shown by alkenes.
Topics that use stereoisomerism
- Optical isomerism (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Shapes of complex ions (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Alkenes (OCR A-Level)
- Amino acids, amides and chirality (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- chirality
- enantiomers
- Optical isomerism
- racemic mixture
- 90° and 180° arrangements
- Acid–base reaction of the COOH group
- Addition polymerisation
- Addition polymerisation of alkenes
Using stereoisomerism in the exam
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