What is the Difference Between Prochirality and Prostereoisomerism?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Prochirality and prostereoisomerism are two chemical concepts in organic chemistry that refer to the conversion between similar chemical structures. The key difference between them is as follows:
- Prochirality: In prochirality, a molecule can be converted from an achiral (non-chiral) to a chiral structure by changing one or more groups attached to a prochiral center (or axis or plane). The prochiral center may be a prostereogenic center, but it is not necessarily the case. Prochirality is an important concept in biological chemistry, as enzymes can distinguish between the two identical groups bound to a prochiral carbon.
- Prostereoisomerism: In prostereoisomerism, two homomorphic ligands at a prostereogenic center (or axis or plane) can be made different, resulting in chiral structures. However, a prostereogenic center may not necessarily be a prochiral center.
In summary, the main distinction between prochirality and prostereoisomerism is that in prochirality, the prochiral center may be a prostereogenic center, whereas in prostereoisomerism, the prostereogenic center may not be necessarily a prochiral center. Both concepts deal with the conversion of molecules from achiral to chiral structures, but they do so through different mechanisms and involving different types of centers.
Comparative Table: Prochirality vs Prostereoisomerism
Here is a table illustrating the differences between prochirality and prostereoisomerism:
Property | Prochirality | Prostereoisomerism |
---|---|---|
Definition | Prochirality refers to the ability of a molecule to be converted from achiral to chiral. | Prostereoisomerism refers to the ability of some molecules to be converted into their stereoisomeric forms. |
Center | In prochirality, the prochiral center may be a prostereogenic center. | In prostereoisomerism, the prostereogenic center may not necessarily be a prochiral center. |
Connection | Prochirality and prostereoisomerism are two chemical concepts in organic chemistry. | Prostereoisomerism is a type of stereoisomerism. |
Importance | Prochirality is an important concept in biological chemistry, as enzymes can distinguish between prochiral groups. | Enzymes can also distinguish between stereoisomeric forms. |
To summarize, the key difference between prochirality and prostereoisomerism is that in prochirality, the prochiral center may be a prostereogenic center, whereas in prostereoisomerism, the prostereogenic center may not necessarily be a prochiral center.
- Diastereomers vs Enantiomers
- Chiral vs Achiral
- Chirality vs Helicity
- Prototropy vs Tautomerism
- Structural Isomers vs Stereoisomers
- Position Isomerism vs Metamerism
- Chain Isomerism vs Position Isomerism
- Constitutional Isomers vs Stereoisomers
- Enantiotopic vs Diastereotopic
- Dichroism vs Birefringence
- Anomeric Carbon vs Chiral Carbon
- Cis vs Trans Isomers
- Stereospecific vs Stereoselective Reactions
- Regioselectivity vs Stereoselectivity
- Optical vs Geometrical Isomerism
- Isoschizomers vs Neoschizomers
- Isomers vs Resonance
- Tautomerism vs Metamerism
- Isotopes vs Isomers