Understanding Structural Isomerism
Interactive visualization of all types of structural isomerism: skeleton, position, functional group, geometric (cis-trans), optical (enantiomers), and conformational isomers.
About this simulation
- What
- An interactive Chemistry simulation of Understanding Structural Isomerism.
- Who
- Designed for AP, IB, and A‑Level Chemistry students.
- How
- Runs in any modern browser — drag, adjust, and explore in real time.
Updated 2026-02-26
Key Concepts
Structural (Constitutional) Isomers
Molecules with the same molecular formula but different connectivity of atoms. Includes carbon skeleton, positional, and functional group isomers.
Stereoisomers
Molecules with the same connectivity but different spatial arrangement. Includes geometric (cis-trans) and optical (enantiomeric) isomers.
Carbon Skeleton Isomers
Isomers that differ in the arrangement of the carbon framework — straight chain vs. branched chain structures.
Chirality & Enantiomers
Mirror-image molecules that cannot be superimposed, like left and right hands. Key in pharmaceutical chemistry.
Understanding Structural Isomerism
Isomerism occurs when two or more compounds share an identical molecular formula but differ in the spatial arrangement or connectivity of their constituent atoms.
The two primary classifications are Structural (Constitutional) Isomers, which feature different bonding connectivity, and Stereoisomers, where atoms are connected in the same order but occupy different 3D positions in space.
Explore our interactive models to differentiate between skeleton isomers (carbon branching), positional isomers (functional group placement), and enantiomers (non-superimposable mirror images).
Frequently Asked Questions
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