Final answer:
Enantiomers are molecules that share the same overall structure and bonding patterns, but differ in how the atoms are three-dimensionally placed. They can rotate the plane of polarized light and have the same physical and chemical properties, except when interacting with chiral objects or reagents. Diastereomers have different physical and chemical properties. Understanding the R/S trends can help distinguish between diastereomers, enantiomers, and meso compounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enantiomers are molecules that share the same overall structure and bonding patterns, but differ in how the atoms are three-dimensionally placed, making them mirror images of each other. They are also referred to as optical isomers because they can rotate the plane of polarized light. Enantiomers have the same physical and chemical properties, except when interacting with chiral objects or reagents. Diastereomers, on the other hand, have different physical and chemical properties.
When assigning R or S stereochemical descriptors to a chiral center, priority numbers are assigned to the four groups attached to the chiral center based on certain sequence rules. If the lowest priority group is pointing away from the viewer, R is assigned if the priority order of the groups is clockwise, and S is assigned if it is counterclockwise. If the lowest priority group is not pointing away, a different set of rules is applied.
Understanding the R/S trends can help in distinguishing between diastereomers, enantiomers, and meso compounds. Diastereomers have different physical and chemical properties, Enantiomers have the same physical and chemical properties except when interacting with chiral objects or reagents, and meso compounds are achiral despite having chiral centers.