Understanding Stereoisomerism in C5H10 with One Cyclopropane Ring

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In summary, there are a total of 5 stereocenter containing isomers of C5H10 with rings, including cyclopentane, methylcyclobutane, 1,1-dimethylcyclopropane, 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane, and ethylcyclopropane. The only ones with stereocenters are the cis and trans forms of 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane, which also have (S) and (R) enantiomers within the trans isomer.
  • #1
tandoorichicken
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How many stereocenter containing isomers of c5h10 are there where the molecule must contain one ring?

I identified the cis and trans forms of 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane, but I think my TA said there was one more form containing a cyclopropane ring... but I can't remember for sure. Is C1 on 1,1-dimethylcyclopropane a stereocenter? It doesn't seem to have four different substituents.

So confusing.
 
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  • #2
You're right that the C1 on 1,1-dimethylcyclopropane doesn't have four different substituents.

I can't seem to think of any other C5H10 cyclic molecules that would have a stereocenter.

The isomers of C5H10 with rings I can think of would be cyclopentane, methylcyclobutane, 1,1-dimethylcyclopropane, 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane, and ethylcyclopropane. The only ones with stereocenters are the isomers of 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane as you mentioned.
 
  • #3
Hey, I got it.

There are cis and trans versions of 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane. But, within the trans isomer, there are also (S) and (R) enantiomers that are nonsuperimposable (by definition).

Hopefully I will remember all of this on the midterm
 

FAQ: Understanding Stereoisomerism in C5H10 with One Cyclopropane Ring

What is stereoisomerism?

Stereoisomerism is a phenomenon in chemistry where molecules with the same molecular formula have a different arrangement of atoms in space, resulting in different physical and chemical properties.

How do stereoisomers differ from structural isomers?

Structural isomers have the same molecular formula but differ in their structural arrangement of atoms, while stereoisomers have the same structural arrangement but differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms.

What are the different types of stereoisomers?

The two main types of stereoisomers are geometric isomers (also known as cis-trans isomers) and optical isomers (also known as enantiomers and diastereomers).

What is the cause of stereoisomerism?

Stereoisomerism is caused by the presence of chiral centers in a molecule, which are atoms that have four different groups attached to them. This results in different spatial arrangements of the groups around the chiral center.

How can one identify stereoisomers?

Stereoisomers can be identified by comparing their physical and chemical properties, such as melting point, boiling point, and reaction behavior. They can also be distinguished using techniques such as NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

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