Structural Isomers vs Optical Isomers
Structural and optical isomers are two types of stereoisomers that differ in their arrangement in three-dimensional space. Here are the main differences between them:
|
Difference between Structural Isomers and Optical Isomers |
|
|---|---|
|
Structural Isomers |
Optical Isomers |
|
Also known as constitutional isomers |
Also known as enantiomers or diastereomers |
|
These isomers have the same molecular formula but different structures, resulting in different arrangements of atoms. |
These isomers have the same molecular formula and the same arrangement of atoms, but they differ in the placement of substituted groups around one or more atoms of the molecule. |
|
The chemical formula of a compound gives the chemical elements present in the compound and the number of atoms per chemical element. |
Optical isomers rotate plane-polarized light in different directions and are related as non-superimposable mirror images. |
|
Examples of structural isomers include 1-butene and 2-butene, which have the same chemical formula but different arrangements of atoms. |
Examples of optical isomers include glyceraldehyde, which has D and L isomers, and alpha and beta glucose. |
Optical Isomerism
Optical Isomerism is a property of Organic Compounds in which they have the same molecular and structural formula but they can’t superimpose on each other. This is due to the different arrangement of carbon atoms in three-dimensional space. The structures exhibiting Optical isomerism are called Optical Isomers. Optical Isomerism is one of the most important concepts in Organic Chemistry and helps to understand various difficult reactions.
In this article, we will learn what is optical isomerism, its significance, types, examples and many more things.
Table of Content
- What is Optical Isomerism?
- Optical Isomer Definition
- Chiral and Achiral Molecules
- What are Enantiomers?
- Type of Optical Isomers
- Structural Isomers vs Optical Isomers
Contact Us