stereoisomers
STEE-ree-oh-eye-suh-merz
Definition
Chemical compounds that have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'stereos' (solid or three-dimensional) and 'isomer' (having equal parts), the term was coined in the late 19th century to describe molecules with identical compositions but distinct spatial arrangements.
In the news
In this article, the chiral ligand used to stabilize the uranium complex leads to a pair of stereoisomers that possess slightly different bond lengths within the metal chain. This highlights how spatial orientation affects the physical characteristics of the complex.
Uranium complex smashes record for consecutive bonds between atoms
Read the full article ↗Chemistry World