Establishing Molecular Relationships Flow Chart

Back to Web Book   See entire flow chart

Are the the formulas the same?

No
No relationship		 Yes

Is the connectivity the same?
No
Structural Isomers		 Yes

Is there a double bond?
Yes

Is the double bond cis(z) and trans (E) in other?
Yes
Geometric isomers
||
diasteromers
No
No

Does molecule have asymmetric carbons?

Do molecules have substituents in opposite orientations on a ring?


Geometric isomers
||
diasteromers
No
Identical molecules
Yes

Assign all sterogenic centers. What is the relationship of centers?

Not same, not mirror image
i.e. RS vs. SS etc.
diastereomers 		Same
i.e. RR vs. RR, etc.
indentical molecules
Mirror image
i.e. RR vs. SS
SR vs. RS etc.
Are compounds Meso?
Yes
identical molecules 		No
enantiomers