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Organic Chemistry definitions

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  • Carbon
    Element central to organic compounds, making up a significant portion of the human body's dry weight and enabling diverse molecular structures.
  • Stereochemistry
    Study of three-dimensional spatial arrangements of atoms in molecules, crucial for understanding molecular interactions and properties.
  • Stereoisomer
    Molecule with identical atomic composition as another but differing in three-dimensional spatial arrangement, affecting chemical behavior.
  • Cis Configuration
    Arrangement where two bulky groups are positioned on the same side of a double bond, influencing molecular shape and reactivity.
  • Trans Configuration
    Arrangement where two bulky groups are located on opposite sides of a double bond, resulting in distinct molecular properties.
  • Chirality Center
    Carbon atom bonded to four distinct chemical groups, serving as the origin of molecular handedness and stereoisomerism.
  • R Configuration
    Specific spatial arrangement at a chirality center, determined by priority rules and resulting in a clockwise tracing of groups.
  • S Configuration
    Specific spatial arrangement at a chirality center, determined by priority rules and resulting in a counterclockwise tracing of groups.
  • Enantiomer
    Non-superimposable mirror image of a chiral molecule, often exhibiting different chemical properties and biological effects.
  • Newman Projection
    Molecular depiction showing the spatial relationship of atoms by viewing along a specific bond axis, useful for analyzing conformations.
  • Staggered Conformation
    Arrangement in which atoms or groups are spaced apart, minimizing repulsion and increasing molecular stability.
  • Eclipsed Conformation
    Arrangement where atoms or groups overlap in space, increasing repulsion and decreasing molecular stability.
  • Resonance
    Delocalization of electrons within a molecule, creating transient states and stabilizing the structure through energy distribution.
  • Fischer Projection
    Two-dimensional drawing style for chiral compounds, with horizontal bonds popping out and vertical bonds going into the page.