Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds

What are the two major classes of isomers?

• Constitutional and stereoisomers

• Structural and stereoisomers

• Constitutional and functional isomers

• Structural and functional isomers

What is the difference between constitutional isomerism and stereoisomerism?

• Constitutional isomers have different functional groups, while stereoisomers have the same functional group(s)

• Constitutional isomers have different physical properties, while stereoisomers have the same physical properties

• Constitutional isomers have different IUPAC names, while stereoisomers have identical IUPAC names

• Constitutional isomers have different chemical properties, while stereoisomers have the same chemical properties

What is the definition of a chiral molecule?

• A molecule that has a plane of symmetry

• A molecule that is superimposable on its mirror image

• A molecule that has four identical attachments on a carbon atom

• A molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image

What is a chiral center?

• A carbon atom with four different groups attached to it

• A carbon atom with two identical attachments

• A carbon atom with three different groups attached to it

• A carbon atom with two different groups attached to it

What is the maximum number of stereoisomers a molecule with three stereogenic centers can have?

• 2

• 4

• 6

• 8

What is the term for stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other?

• Enantiomers

• Diastereomers

• Constitutional isomers

• Structural isomers

What is the physical property that differs between two enantiomers?

• Boiling point

• Melting point

• Density

• Optical rotation

What is the term for light that has an electric vector that oscillates in a single plane?

• Polarized light

• Reflected light

• Absorbed light

• Scattered light

What is the term for a compound that does not change the plane of polarized light?

• Optically active

• Optically inactive

• Dextrorotatory

• Levorotatory

What is the designation for a compound that rotates polarized light clockwise?

• D

• L

• +

• -