Stereoisomers

Stereoisomers are molecules that have the same chemical formula with the same order of arranged atoms, unlike constitutional isomers. The difference in the molecules lies in the position of their atoms in space. These isomers are more closely related than structural (constitutional) isomers and will often have similar chemical properties and react very closely to one another. There are two major types of stereoisomers.

1. Enantiomers - isomers that are mirror images of one another.



2. Diastereomers - isomers that have the same order of atoms but are not mirror images of one another.