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Topic: What is the difference between an isomer and a stereoisomer?  (Read 7523 times)

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Offline Chops369

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What is the difference between an isomer and a stereoisomer?
« on: February 15, 2010, 10:43:30 PM »
Are isomers substances with the same chemical formula, and do they have totally different molecular geometries?

I believe that stereoisomers are substances with the same chemical formula and the same molecular geometry shape (e.g. square planar), but the atoms are arranged differently within the shape? Is this correct?

« Last Edit: February 15, 2010, 11:11:42 PM by Chops369 »
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Offline Dan

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Re: What is the difference between an isomer and a stereoisomer?
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2010, 12:22:17 PM »
The key is in the atom connectivity.

Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula.

Stereoisomers are a type of isomer. They have the same molecular formula and the same atom connectivity eg. trans-but-2-ene and cis-but-2-ene. Isomers that do not have the same atom connectivity are called structural (or constitutional) isomers eg. trans-but-2-ene and but-1-ene.

Stereoisomer is just a more specific term than isomer.

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