A blend of Love for Writing and Chemistry

  Geometric isomers are formed when the rotation of the Carbon-Carbon bond is restricted either due to a double bond or the carbon-carbon single bond is a part of a chain.  Cis and Trans   This notation is used when both carbons have the same substituent. If the substituents are on the same side, then the isomer is cis else it is trans.  The physical properties of cis and trans isomers vary. Polarity Symmetrical Boiling Point Melting Point Cis Alkenes  More  Less Higher Lower Trans Alkenes Less More  Lower Higher   In an acyclic molecule,usually, the stability of a trans isomer is higher than a cis isomer because of steric hindrance between the substituents in the cis isomers.    When the carbons have different substituents, cis/trans nomenclature cannot be used. Here, E/Z is used.   E/Z  First we need to understand how to assign priority to the substituents to denote the E/Z  configuration. The priority is denoted...

  Constitutional Isomers These isomers differ in the arrangement of atoms. There are five types of constitutional isomers.   Chain Isomers Consider the molecular formula, C 5 H 12 . The possible structures are,       The longest chain of carbon is also called the parent chain. In the three isomers, number of atoms in the parent chain are different.  So, the isomers which have different number of carbon atoms in the parent chain are chain isomers.    Functional Group Isomers The following are a few functional groups    As the name suggests, these have the same molecular formula but have different functional groups. Some examples of functional group isomers are    Position Isomers  These isomers  possess the same number of atoms in the parent chain and the same functional group, however, the position of the functional group is different.    In the above example, the alcohol group is in the second and the first...

Carbon is a very unique atom. It has the ability to form four bonds and can form bonds with so many elements in the periodic table. This property of carbon along with its catenation has led to the formation of a separate branch of chemistry, Organic chemistry.    The versatility of carbon atom leads to variation in arrangement.   Before we learn about the concept of isomerism there are a few terms that need to be understood.  Molecular Formula Molecular formula gives the information on the type and number of atoms in that particular molecule.  So, the molecular formula- C 2 H 4 consists of two atoms of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen.  Composition The word is self explanatory, it is to do with what the molecule contains. Basically, the information is obtained from its molecular formula.  Constitution This is given by the IUPAC name of the particular compound. The constitution describes the connectivity between the different atoms. Also, it gives us ...