Isomerism

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It is a long time since chemists realised that they had to think of the shapes of molecules in three dimensions. In time this aspect of chemistry has become more rather than less important. This is because it is essential to know about molecular shapes to understand biochemistry. The study of isomerism includes:
 

structural isomerism,

geometric isomerism,

optical isomerism.

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Webguides

• A creative look at isomers
• Three types of isomerism in organic compounds

Recently Asked Questions

• When propane reacts with chlorine two different monochloropropanes are produced. What type of isomerism is this ?
• I am studying optical isomers. I know that they rotate the plane of polarised light, but I don't know what the plane of polarised light is, and how or why it is rotated.
• I want to know if there is a formula for calculating the number of isomers an organic compound can have. I was trying to work on a formula to calculate the number of isomers for an organic compound. It worked for some but for others it didn't.

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updated: 01 October 2009