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Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Lourdes on April 30, 2017, 01:18:18 PM

Title: How do I distinguish between conformational isomers and identical compounds?
Post by: Lourdes on April 30, 2017, 01:18:18 PM

Hi guys!
Basically conformational isomers are ones you get when you rotate around C-C bonds. OK, got it. But what makes them not identical structures? I have the feeling that, whenever I can put them on top of each other without rotating any bonds, they are identical. Can someone confirm my thoughts?
Thank you :)

Title: Re: How do I distinguish between conformational isomers and identical compounds?
Post by: kriggy on April 30, 2017, 01:48:16 PM

Well then it seems that you are doing it wrong or you are using a bad example.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformational_isomerism#/media/File:Interconversion_between_eclipsed_and_gauche_conformations..png