Difference Between Constitutional Isomers and Stereoisomers

In organic chemistry, isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structures. There are two main types of isomers: constitutional isomers and stereoisomers. In this essay, we will explore the differences between constitutional isomers and stereoisomers.

What are Constitutional Isomers?

Constitutional (structural) isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but with a different structure. Constitutional isomers are of three types.

Skeletal (chain) Isomers

Skeletal isomers have a uniform quantitative, qualitative, and functional composition, but a structurally different chain of molecules. The chains may be straight or differently branched. Typically, skeletal isomers have different physical properties.

Positional Isomers

Positional isomers differ in the location of a functional group, substituent, or complex bonds in the chain. They differ primarily in the physical properties and, in some cases, in their biochemical ones. For example, naturally occurring amino acids are predominantly alpha- isomers. Metamerism is a form of positional isomerism in which a functional group is included in the hydrocarbon itself, thereby separating it in two differently long hydrocarbon residues. Metamerism occurs in dialkylamines, ethers, etc.

Functional Group Isomers

Functional isomers have the same quantitative and qualitative composition but different functional groups. This leads to a difference in their chemical properties. Classic examples of functional isomers are the glucose and fructose. In the nature, the functional isomers are with a different biochemical importance.

Tautomerism is a type of structural isomerism in which, under certain conditions, a certain spatial structure translates into another, with a dynamic equilibrium between them. Tautomerism can be seen as a form of functional isomerism.

What are Stereoisomers?

Stereoisomers (spatial isomers) have the same qualitative, quantitative and functional structure but a different spatial orientation of the molecules or their parts. The reason for spatial isomerism is the different spatial symmetry of the molecules. The main elements of symmetry are center, axis, and plane.

The stereoisomers can be of the following types:

Geometric Isomers

Geometric isometry is due to differences in the spatial arrangement of the substituents relative to the symmetry plane. It consists in the possibility of placing substituent groups on the one side of a non-aromatic cycle or a double bond plane, or on different sides. The isomer with two identical substituents on one side of the plane is called cis-isomer and the other one - a trans-isomer.

Optical Isomers

In optical isomerism, the molecules have no center, axis, and plane of symmetry. Isomers of this type have asymmetric molecules. Each molecule refers to its isomer as an object to its mirror image. Optical isomers have the common name enantiomers. The biological significance of the enantiomers is different. They have the same chemical properties. From their physical characteristics, only their optical activity differs. The two enantiomers rotate differently the polarized light. On the nomenclature, they are marked with Latin S – left and R – right (the old labels are L and D). The natural isomers are predominantly S-isomers. An equimolar mixture of the two enantiomers is called a racemic mixture and is optically inactive.

Conformational Isomers

Spatial isomerism in which isomers have the same configurations but a different spatial orientation is called conformational. The differences in the isomers do not result from breakage of bonds and displacement of the substituents and are a consequence of the rotation of different parts of the molecule around the axis of simple sigma bonds. The resulting isomers are with a different conformation and are called conformers. They generally differ only in their optical properties.

Differences: Constitutional Isomers and Stereoisomers

The following table highlights the major differences between Constitutional Isomers and Stereoisomers −

Characteristics	Constitutional Isomers	Stereoisomers
Definition	Constitutional (structural) isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but with a different structure.	Stereoisomers (spatial isomers) are compounds with the same molecular formula and functional structure but with a different spatial orientation of the molecules or their parts.
Types	Constitutional isomers can be skeletal, positional, and functional group isomers.	Stereoisomers can be configurational (geometric, optical) and conformational isomers.
Arrangement of atoms	The arrangement of atoms of constitutional isomers is different.	The arrangement of atoms of stereoisomers is the same.
Chirality	Chirality is absent in constitutional isomers.	Chirality is present in stereoisomers.

Conclusion

Constitutional isomers and stereoisomers have the same molecular formula with different structures; they differ in how their atoms are arranged in space.