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Absolute and Relative Configurations

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FictionDurden:
For an upcoming exam, I will have to compare and contrast absolute and relative configurations. The problem is, I need  3 compares and 3 contrasts for these configurations. I am not totally sure of what absolute and relative configurations are. I can only think of 1 contrast, and that is their definitions. *delete me*

movies:
Think about the other implications of the definitions.

Why don't you start by telling us the definitions and we can help you from there.

FictionDurden:
Absolute configuration - the detailed stereochemical picture of a molecule, including how the atoms are arranged in space. Alternatively, the (R) and (S) configuration at each chirality center.

Relative configuration - the experimentally determined relationship between the configurations of two molecules, even though we may not know the absolute configuration of either.

movies:
Okay, good.

So for one, suppose you had a molecule and you knew the relative configuration of two of the groups.  What difference would it make if you knew the absolute configuration?

FictionDurden:
You wouldn't have to do an experiment?

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