Stereochemical models of fumaric and maleic acids

Stereochemical models of fumaric and maleic acids Stereochemical models of fumaric and maleic acids Stereochemical models of fumaric and maleic acids

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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Stereochemical models of fumaric and maleic acids
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Stereochemical models of fumaric and maleic acids
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Stereochemical models of fumaric and maleic acids
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Stereochemical models of fumaric and maleic acids. Constructed in Museum.

Maleic and fumaric acids, examples of geometrical isomerism, have identical chemical compositions and a very similar general structure.

In 1874, can’t Hoff explained the stereoisomerism of the two acids, which are not optically active since the molecules are symmetrical. In these models, the tetrahedra surrounding the central carbon atoms are joined along an edge, indicating a double bond about which rotation is impossible. Two different arrangements for the carboxyl (-COOH) groups are apparent: on opposite sides of the double bond (trans-) as in fumaric acid (model 1) or adjacent (cis-) as in maleic acid (model 2).

Details

Category:
Experimental Chemistry
Object Number:
1924-431
type:
molecular model