Organic Chemistry: Current Research
Open Access

Structural Features on the Behavior of Molecules by Using Meso Isomers

Larry Houdek^{* *}Correspondence: Larry Houdek, Department of Bioorganic Compounds, University of the Andes, Carrera, Bogotá, Colombia, Email:

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Description

Organic chemistry is a vast and complex field of study, involving the study of carbon-containing compounds and their reactions. One of the most fundamental concepts in organic chemistry is isomerism, which refers to the phenomenon of molecules with the same molecular formula having different structures and properties. Isomerism is an important concept in organic chemistry because it allows chemists to study the effects of different structural features on the behavior of molecules [1-4]. There are several types of isomers, including structural isomers, stereoisomers, and tautomers. Stereoisomers, in turn, can be further classified into two subtypes: Enantiomers and diastereomers. Enantiomers are mirror images of each other and cannot be superimposed on one another, while diastereomers are non-mirror image stereoisomers. In this article, we will focus on a specific type of diastereomer called meso isomers. Meso isomers are often overlooked in discussions of stereoisomers because they do not exhibit the same level of stereoisomerism as enantiomers and other diastereomers. Meso isomers are molecules that contain chiral centers but are achiral overall due to the presence of a plane of symmetry [5-8]. In other words, meso isomers are compounds that have multiple stereogenic centers, but they are not stereoisomers because they contain an internal plane of symmetry that makes them superimposable on their mirror image. One of the most common examples of a meso isomer is meso-tartaric acid, which is a dicarboxylic acid that contains two chiral centers. Each of the chiral centers in meso-tartaric acid can exist in either an R or S configuration, resulting in a total of four possible stereoisomers. However, due to the presence of an internal plane of symmetry, meso-tartaric acid is achiral overall. While meso isomers may not exhibit the same level of stereoisomerism as other types of stereoisomers, they are still important in organic chemistry. For example, meso isomers can exhibit different physical and chemical properties than their non-meso counterparts, which can have important implications for their use in various applications. One area where meso isomers have proven particularly useful is in the development of chiral catalysts. Chiral catalysts are used in a variety of chemical reactions to selectively produce a specific enantiomer of a product. However, enantiomerically pure catalysts can be difficult to prepare and expensive to use. Meso isomers, on the other hand, can be used as chiral catalysts because they contain chiral centers but are achiral overall. This means that meso isomers can be used to selectively produce a specific enantiomer of a product without the need for enantiomerically pure catalysts. Another area where meso isomers have proven useful is in the development of drugs. Many drugs contain chiral centers, and it is often the case that only one enantiomer of a drug is biologically active, while the other enantiomer may be inactive or even toxic. This has led to the development of chiral drugs that contain only the active enantiomer. However, the preparation of enantiomerically pure drugs can be difficult and expensive. Meso isomers, on the other hand, can be used as prodrugs that can be easily converted into the active enantiomer in vivo [9-12]. This means that meso isomers can be used to produce chiral drugs that are more costeffective and easier to prepare than enantiomerically pure drugs.

 

CONCLUSION

Meso isomers are a unique and complex concept in the field of organic chemistry. Their internal plane of symmetry and achirality make them particularly challenging to study and understand, but also make them useful in a wide range of applications. Despite their superficial similarities to enantiomers, meso isomers have distinct physical and chemical properties that set them apart from their mirror-image counterparts. The study of meso isomers is a fascinating and important area of research that has the potential to unlock new insights into the behavior of chiral molecules and their interactions with biological systems.

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