Isomerism in Carbon-based Molecules

Carbon-based molecules may exhibit isomerism. Isomers are molecules that:

• have the same chemical formulas but different structures

• systematically vary in their hydrophobic nature

• contain at least one C=C bond

• have different structures despite being extremely hydrophilic

• contain two or more C=O bonds and have partial charges

Molecules that exhibit cis/trans isomerism:

• are not true isomers in the chemical sense

• have different chemical (molecular) formulas but the same overall structure

• have the same chemical (molecular) formula, but a different number of C=C bonds (double bonds)

• are mirror images of each other

• exhibit variation around a double bond

Molecules that are enantiomers:

• are produced by subtractive hydrolysis mechanisms

• have different chemical (molecular) formulas but the same overall structure

• exhibit variation around a double bond

• are mirror images of each other

• have the same chemical (molecular) formula, but different arrangements of bonds between atoms

Molecules that are enantiomers:

• are always highly volatile

• have an asymmetric/chiral carbon atom

• exhibit variation around a triple bond between carbon atoms (C≡C)

• always contain at least one atom with high electronegativity

• have different chemical (molecular) formulas, but the same arrangements of bonds between atoms

Molecules that are structural isomers:

• are also enantiomers

• have different chemical (molecular) formulas but the same overall structure

• exhibit variation around a double bond

• are mirror images of each other

• have the same chemical (molecular) formula, but different arrangements of bonds between atoms

Carbon (C) atoms:

• always have four bonds

• may have single, double, triple or quadruple bonds to other carbon atoms

• may have single, double or triple bonds to oxygen (O) atoms

• may have single, double or triple bonds to hydrogen (H) atoms

• none of the above

Bonds between carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) are:

• ionic bonds

• polar covalent bonds

• non-polar covalent bonds

• hydrogen bonds

• made from aluminum

Bonds between oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) are:

• ionic bonds

• polar covalent bonds

• non-polar covalent bonds

• hydrogen bonds

• made from aluminum

Bonds between oxygen (O) and carbon (C) are:

• ionic bonds

• polar covalent bonds

• non-polar covalent bonds

• hydrogen bonds

• found only in bacteria

Hydrolysis reactions:

• are responsible for the linking of monomers into polymers

• break bonds between linked monomers

• break bonds in a water molecule

• convert water molecules into hydronium ions

• dissolve small, polar molecules in water