27. Communicating Molecular Structure in Diagrams and Words

Freshman Organic Chemistry (CHEM 125)

It is important that chemists agree on notation and nomenclature in order to communicate molecular constitution and configuration. It is best when a diagram is as faithful as possible to the 3-dimensional shape of a molecule, but the conventional Fischer projection, which has been indispensable in understanding sugar configurations for over a century, involves highly distorted bonds. Ambiguity in diagrams or words has led to multibillion-dollar patent disputes involving popular drugs. International agreements provide descriptive, unambiguous, unique, systematic "IUPAC" names that are reasonably convenient for most organic molecules of modest molecular weight.

00:00 - Chapter 1. The Development of the Fischer Projections
16:27 - Chapter 2. Diastereomers and Enantiomers in van't Hoff's Brochure
23:14 - Chapter 3. Notation Ambiguities and Multibillion Dollar Pharmaceutical Disputes
39:26 - Chapter 4. The IUPAC and the Standardization of Molecular Nomenclature

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Fall 2008.