sztereoizomers

Stereoisomers are a type of isomerism in chemistry where molecules have the same molecular formula and the same connectivity of atoms, but differ in the three-dimensional arrangement of their atoms in space. This difference in spatial arrangement leads to distinct physical and chemical properties, even though the atoms are bonded in the same sequence.

There are two main types of stereoisomers: diastereomers and enantiomers. Enantiomers are stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, much like a left and right hand. Molecules that are enantiomers are said to be chiral. Diastereomers, on the other hand, are stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other. This occurs when a molecule has two or more stereocenters. For example, cis-trans isomerism in alkenes is a form of diastereomerism.

The presence of stereoisomers is significant in many areas of chemistry, particularly in organic chemistry and biochemistry. For instance, many biologically active molecules, such as amino acids and sugars, exist as enantiomers. Often, only one enantiomer will exhibit the desired biological activity, while the other may be inactive or even harmful. This is why the synthesis and separation of specific stereoisomers are crucial in the pharmaceutical industry. Understanding stereoisomerism allows chemists to predict and control the properties and reactivity of molecules.