This comprehensive set of practice problems on Stereochemistry includes questions on determining R and S configuration, R and S configuration in Fischer and Newman projections, and determining the relationship between molecules such as enantiomers, diastereomers, and constitutional isomers. There are … Read more
The carbonyl group in aldoses and ketoses can be reduced by NaBH4 to a 1o and 2o alcohol, respectively. The product of this reaction is a polyalcohol called an alditol. The reduction of the ketones creates a new … Read more
In today’s post, we will discuss the conversion between Fischer, Haworth, and Chair forms of carbohydrates as well as the mechanism that leads to the formation of ɑ-D-glucose and β-D-glucose from the open form of glucose. We mentioned the formation … Read more
Erythro and threo are common terms in stereochemistry used for naming molecules with two stereogenic centers. The names derive from the saccharides erythrose and threose, so let’s draw their Fischer projection to understand the basis of this notation: … Read more
Carbohydrates, also known as sugars and starches, are one of the most important classes of compounds found in nature. Listing only a few examples would include the energy produced in our bodies by breaking down sugars, which are used in … Read more
To determine the R and S configuration of a chiral carbon in Newman projections, we need to look through the bond such that the lowest priority group is pointing back. But first, one question – why would anyone need to … Read more
To determine the R and S configuration of the chiral carbon atoms in a Fischer projection, we first need to recall the concept of the Fischer projection. And that is, the horizontal groups are pointing towards the viewer (wedge), and … Read more
In this post, we will learn how to convert between Fischer, Bond-line, and Newman projections in different orders. This is an essential skill as it helps to visualize the molecule in space, and that is what a significant part of … Read more
What are the Fischer Projections? Fischer projections are just another way of drawing compounds containing chiral centers. They were initially proposed by Emil Fischer for making it easier to draw the structures of compounds containing multiple chiral centers, with the … Read more
In my experience of teaching, I have noticed that conveying the message about meso compounds is a lot easier when Fischer projections are used. So, we will talk about it by drawing the Fischer projections of three isomers of 2,3-dichlorobutane: … Read more
