Stereochemistry: Understanding Molecular Configurations and Chirality

This lecture covers the fundamental concepts of stereochemistry, focusing on the constitution, configuration, and conformation of molecules. It begins with the importance of organic chemistry and the role of amino acids as building blocks of proteins. The instructor explains the degree of unsaturation and its relationship to molecular formulas. The lecture then delves into stereoisomerism, highlighting the differences between geometric isomers, diastereomers, and enantiomers. The concept of chirality is introduced, emphasizing the non-superimposable nature of chiral molecules and the significance of symmetry planes. The instructor discusses the methods for measuring optical activity and the implications of chirality in biological activity, using thalidomide as a case study. The lecture concludes with a discussion on the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules for determining absolute configuration, providing a comprehensive overview of how molecular structure influences chemical behavior and interactions.