izomern

Isomerism is a phenomenon in chemistry where molecules have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements of atoms. These different arrangements result in compounds with distinct physical and chemical properties, even though they contain the same number and types of atoms. The term "isomer" comes from the Greek words "isos" meaning "equal" and "meros" meaning "part."

There are two main types of isomerism: structural isomerism and stereoisomerism. Structural isomers, also known as constitutional isomers, differ in the connectivity of their atoms. This means the atoms are bonded together in a different order. For example, butane and isobutane (2-methylpropane) are structural isomers, both having the molecular formula C4H10 but different branching patterns.

Stereoisomers, on the other hand, have the same connectivity of atoms but differ in their three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This category is further divided into enantiomers and diastereomers. Enantiomers are stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, much like a left and right hand. Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other. Geometric isomerism, a type of diastereoisomerism, occurs in compounds with restricted rotation around a bond, such as double bonds or in cyclic structures, leading to different spatial arrangements of substituents. Understanding isomerism is crucial for predicting and explaining the behavior of chemical compounds in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, materials science, and biological processes.