Asymmetric synthesis refers to the production of chiral molecules with a specific enantiomeric configuration. The goal is to preferentially synthesize one enantiomer over the other, which is crucial in fields like pharmaceuticals, where the activity and safety of a drug can depend on its enantiomeric purity. Asymmetric synthesis can be categorized into partial and absolute … Read more
Racemic modification refers to the process of creating a racemic mixture, which is an equimolar mixture of two enantiomers (mirror-image isomers) of a chiral compound. A racemic mixture shows no optical activity because the optical rotations of the enantiomers cancel each other out. On the other hand, the resolution of a racemic mixture involves separating … Read more
Chiral molecules, due to their non-superimposable mirror images (enantiomers), exhibit unique behavior in chemical reactions. These reactions are critical in understanding stereochemistry and play an essential role in organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biology. The outcome of reactions involving chiral molecules depends on factors like the nature of the reactants, the reagents, and the reaction conditions. … Read more
The R/S system of nomenclature is the most widely used method for designating the absolute configuration of chiral centers (stereocenters) in molecules, particularly for optical isomers (enantiomers). Developed by Robert Cahn, Christopher Ingold, and Vladimir Prelog, this system follows a set of priority rules—called the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) rules—to distinguish between two mirror-image forms (enantiomers) of … Read more
The Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) priority rules, also known as sequence rules, are used to assign the absolute configuration of chiral centers as R (rectus, right) or S (sinister, left). These rules provide a systematic method for ranking substituents attached to a chiral center to determine the spatial arrangement of the atoms or groups around it. 1. … Read more
The D/L system of nomenclature is a method used to describe the configuration of optical isomers, particularly for carbohydrates and amino acids. It was first introduced by Emil Fischer in the 19th century and is based on the comparison of optical isomers to a reference compound, glyceraldehyde. The system does not indicate the direction of … Read more
Introduction to Chirality Chirality is a fundamental concept in chemistry that refers to the geometric property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image. The term “chiral” comes from the Greek word “cheir,” meaning “hand,” which reflects the fact that human hands are mirror images of each other but cannot be perfectly … Read more
Elements of symmetry refer to specific geometric features or operations that describe the spatial arrangement of molecules or crystals. These features allow a molecule or crystal to be manipulated in space (rotated, reflected, or inverted) and still retain its original orientation or appearance. Symmetry plays a crucial role in understanding the properties of molecules and … Read more
Stereo isomerism is a type of isomerism where compounds with the same molecular formula differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms, leading to distinct physical, chemical, and biological properties. Unlike structural isomers, which differ in connectivity, stereoisomers have identical connectivity but vary in three-dimensional orientation. Stereo isomerism is divided into two main categories: 1. Geometrical … Read more
