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Topic: Is this an optical or a geometric isomer?  (Read 1647 times)

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Offline INeedSerotonin

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Is this an optical or a geometric isomer?
« on: September 30, 2019, 04:21:59 PM »
Hello!

I have this exercise in which I have to tell if this is an optical or a geometric isomer.



The answer is "geometric", but, to be honest, they are the same substance to me. What is the difference? The only thing that changes is the way it is drawn.

Can you guys please give me a hint here?
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Offline AWK

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Re: Is this an optical or a geometric isomer?
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2019, 04:27:57 PM »
The geometry of one double bond is different.
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Offline INeedSerotonin

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Re: Is this an optical or a geometric isomer?
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2019, 05:34:30 PM »
Quote from: AWK on September 30, 2019, 04:27:57 PM
The geometry of one double bond is different.

I'm still confused. How is it any different from the other? Perhaps one goes inside the plane, while the other comes from inside it?
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Offline Babcock_Hall

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Re: Is this an optical or a geometric isomer?
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2019, 06:10:17 PM »
Are the methyl group and the hydroxyl group the same distance apart in the two structures, or are they different?
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Offline Borek

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Re: Is this an optical or a geometric isomer?
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2019, 03:32:51 AM »
Perhaps what you are missing is the fact double bond doesn't allow rotation.
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