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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Ter on January 16, 2013, 10:13:42 PM

Title: Isomers
Post by: Ter on January 16, 2013, 10:13:42 PM
Why doesn't this have isomers? Please explain it to me, thank you very much really!
Title: Re: Isomers
Post by: Hunter2 on January 17, 2013, 12:45:20 AM
The molecule itself has no isomer. But if you exchange X with Y then you have the possibility of 3 isomers.

1,1 Di(X)-2,2 di(Y) Ethylene, cis-1,2 Di(X)-1,2 di(Y) Ethylene, trans-1,2 Di(X)-1,2 di(Y) Ethylene
Title: Re: Isomers
Post by: Borek on January 17, 2013, 03:54:46 AM
[*:1]C([*:1])=C([*:2])[*:2]

What is an isomer? What kind of isomers do you think would be possible?
Title: Re: Isomers
Post by: Ter on January 17, 2013, 10:35:53 AM
From what I know, an isomer is the different structural arrangement of atoms within the molecule.

Since the atoms can 'move', then it can have isomers can't it? eg. X placed diagonally within the molecule like a trans isomer, I was thinking that the isomers would be cis and trans since the atoms can be moved.

Please correct me, I know I am wrong here but I really dont know why,
Title: Re: Isomers
Post by: Borek on January 17, 2013, 10:56:33 AM
What do you mean by "atoms can move"? When you exchange X with Y (or R1 with R2) you will get a different molecule.
Title: Re: Isomers
Post by: curiouscat on January 17, 2013, 12:03:28 PM
Quote from: Hunter2 on January 17, 2013, 12:45:20 AM
The molecule itself has no isomer.

It does, I think. The ones you wrote.
Title: Re: Isomers
Post by: curiouscat on January 17, 2013, 12:04:30 PM
Quote from: Borek on January 17, 2013, 10:56:33 AM
What do you mean by "atoms can move"? When you exchange X with Y (or R1 with R2) you will get a different molecule.

Which is an isomer of the parent molecule.
Title: Re: Isomers
Post by: discodermolide on January 17, 2013, 12:05:51 PM
Don't forget the plane of symmetry.
As drawn there is one trans isomer.