1. 5. STEREOISOMERISM. (approx. lecture time: 5 hr) Topics covered: 5.1-5.16. Left and Right hands are not the same (not superimposable) There are also “Left” and “Right” handed molecules and they are also not the same (not superimposable) The study of “handedness” of organic molecules (configurational stereoisomerism) is essential for understanding their structure and function in biology

2. ISOMERISM ISOMERISM (isomers have the same molecular formula but differ in structure) CONSTITUTIONAL (STRUCTURAL) ISOMERISM (these isomers have different connectivity of bonds) STEREOISOMERISM (stereoisomers have the same connectivity but differ only in the arrangement of atoms in space) CONFORMATIONAL STEREOISOMERISM (these are stereoisomers obtained by rotation about sigma bonds; in principle readily interconvertible) CIS-TRANS STEREOISOMERISM (for alkenes and cyclic compounds: stereoisomers that differ in location of atoms on different sides or faces) CONFIGURATIONAL STEREOISOMERISM (stereoisomers obtained by different relative arrangement of 4 bonds on an sp 3 hybridized carbon; not interconvertible; maximum number = 2 n ; n = number of chirality centers)

3. Configurational Stereoisomerism chirality centre (if W,X,Y,Z are not the same) not superimposable (chirality centre = stereogenic centre = chiral centre = chiral carbon)

5. Recognizing Chirality Centers

6. Competing Drugs in the Market VIOXX (Merck) (now withdrawn) CELEBREX (Pfizer) VIAGRA (Pfizer) CIALIS (Eli Lilly)

7. CONFIGURATION STEREOISOMERISM is “independent” of CONFORMATIONAL STEREOISOMERISM Conformational stereoisomers are rapidly interconverting. Configurational stereoisomers DO NOT readily interconvert. ( When studying configurational stereoisomerism, we choose a particular “representative” conformational structure, but realizing that many others also exist)

8. Notes on Configurational Stereoisomerism A chiral molecule is one that is not superimposable onto its mirror image structure. The pair of structures are called enantiomers (“left” and “right” hand molecules). Enantiomers have identical physical properties except for the rotation of plane polarized light. Maximum number of configuration stereoisomers possible = 2 n (where n is the number of chirality centers in the molecule). There may be less due to the existence of meso compounds. A meso compound is an achiral compound that has 2 or more chirality centers. It is achiral because these compounds have a plane (or center) of symmetry. Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are not enantiomers. This is a widely used term that is not restricted to configurational stereoisomerism. Diastereomers have different chemical and physical properties! A racemic mixture is a 1:1 ratio of the (two) enantiomers. Racemization (to racemize) is the process of converting a solution of one pure enantiomer towards a racemic mixture. Configurational enantiomers and diastereomers are not readily interconvertible.

9. Optical Activity

10. Specific Rotations [  ] D (+) rotation “dextrorotatory ( d ) (-) rotation “levorotatory ( l ) (+)-morphine? (+)-cocaine? ( dl )-cocaine? or (  )-cocaine? Compound [  ] D Acetic acid 0Cholesterol -31.5 Chloroform 0Morphine -132 Sucrose +66.5Cocaine -16 Camphor +44.3Methamphetamine +16

11. Assigning Configuration (R or S) S configuration (Cahn-Ingold-Prelog Rules)

12. 2-Butanol Configuration Stereoisomers Is this R or S? * assign priorities

13. More Examples

14. Additional Rules for Multiple Bonded Substituents

15. Cyclic Compounds

16. enantiomers (not inconvertible) enantiomers (inconvertible by chair flip! WHY?)

17. Conformational Enantiomers Conformational Enantiomers (inconvertible by chair flip!) Configuration vs Conformational Isomerism R S This is a meso compound when considered FLAT But we know it exists in chair forms. The two chair forms are non-superimposable mirror images and are conformational enantiomers, and rapidly interconvertible, unlike configurational stereoisomers.

18. Fischer Projections (How to draw and manipulate molecules with two or more contiguous chirality centres quickly) R R R S S S

19. Interchange any 2 substituents on same carbon results in its INVERSION Rotating molecule by 180 degrees generates the SAME STRUCTURE Rotating molecule by 90 degrees is FORBIDDEN

20. The Aldoteroses (The simple 4-carbon sugars)

21. Thalidomide contains both left- and right-handed isomers in equal amounts. One enantiomer is effective against morning sickness. The other is teratogen (causes birth defects). Thalidomide Babies (1950’s and 1960’s) The two enantiomers of thalidomide

22. The Sex Life of the Olive Fruit Fly The Sex Life of the Olive Fruit Fly (Bacrocera Oleae)

23. Vicks Vapor Inhaler (sold in USA) Active ingredient (R)-(-)-methamphetamine (R)-(-)-methamphetamine (nasal decongestant). (S)-(+)-methamphetamine It is the enantiomer of the addictive psychostimulant, (S)-(+)-methamphetamine RS