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Related Concept Videos

Stereoisomerism02:52

Stereoisomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
¹H NMR Chemical Shift Equivalence: Enantiotopic and Diastereotopic Protons00:58

¹H NMR Chemical Shift Equivalence: Enantiotopic and Diastereotopic Protons

Replacing each alpha-hydrogen in chloroethane by bromine (or a different functional group) yields a pair of enantiomers. Such protons are called prochiral or enantiotopic and are related by a mirror plane. Enantiotopic protons are chemically equivalent in an achiral environment. Because most proton NMR spectra are recorded using achiral solvents, enantiotopic hydrogens yield a single signal.
In chiral compounds such as 2-butanol, replacing the methylene hydrogens at C3 produces a pair of...
Stereoisomers02:32

Stereoisomers

On the basis of mirror symmetry, stereoisomers of an organic molecule can be further classified into diastereomers and enantiomers. Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other. Substituted alkenes, such as the cis and trans isomers of 2-butene, are diastereomers, as these molecules exhibit different spatial orientations of their constituent atoms, are not mirror images of each other, and do not interconvert. Here, the interconversion is suppressed due to restricted...
Stereoisomerism of Cyclic Compounds02:33

Stereoisomerism of Cyclic Compounds

In this lesson, we delve into the role of ring conformation and its stability, which determines the spatial arrangement and, consequently, the molecular symmetry and stereoisomerism of cyclic compounds. 1,2-Dimethylcyclohexane is used as a case study to evaluate the possible number of stereoisomers. Here, given the multiple (n = 2) chiral centers, there are 2n = 4 possible configurations that lack a plane of symmetry, as the ring skeleton exists in a non-planar chair conformation. In addition,...
Isomerism02:43

Isomerism

Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. Isomers can be further classified into constitutional isomers and stereoisomers. Constitutional isomers differ in the connectivity of their constituent atoms. For example, 2-butanol and diethyl ether are constitutional isomers, as they have the same chemical formula, C4H10O, but differ in the connectivity of the carbon and oxygen atoms. Constitutional isomers have different physical and chemical...
Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)01:20

Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)

Two NMR-active nuclei bonded to a central atom can be involved in geminal or two-bond coupling. Geminal coupling is commonly seen between diastereotopic protons in chiral molecules and unsymmetrical alkenes, among others.
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...

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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
10:37

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters

Published on: January 9, 2014

Selective alignment of molecular spin isomers.

Sharly Fleischer1, Ilya Sh Averbukh, Yehiam Prior

  • 1Department of Chemical Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

Physical Review Letters
|October 13, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Researchers achieved field-free, spin-selective alignment of molecular spin isomers at room temperature using femtosecond laser pulses. This control over molecular orientation and rotation could aid in separating different spin modifications.

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Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
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Atomic Scale Structural Studies of Macromolecular Assemblies by Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
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Atomic Scale Structural Studies of Macromolecular Assemblies by Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

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Area of Science:

  • Physical Chemistry
  • Quantum Control
  • Molecular Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Molecular spin isomers (ortho- and para- forms) exhibit distinct physical properties.
  • Controlling molecular spin states is crucial for various chemical and physical applications.
  • Previous methods often require cryogenic temperatures or complex experimental setups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate field-free, spin-selective alignment of molecular spin isomers at room temperature.
  • To explore the use of femtosecond laser pulses for controlling molecular angular distributions.
  • To investigate potential applications in molecular analysis and separation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a four-wave mixing arrangement with two nonresonant, strong, time-delayed femtosecond pulses.
  • Applied the technique to homonuclear diatomic molecules (15N and 14N).
  • Operated experiments at room temperature.

Main Results:

  • Successfully achieved field-free, spin-selective alignment of ortho- and para- molecular spin isomers.
  • Demonstrated selective control over the angular distribution and rotational excitation of these isomers.
  • Observed alignment in homonuclear diatomics containing spin 1/2 (15N) and spin 1 (14N) nuclei.

Conclusions:

  • Femtosecond laser pulse sequences enable efficient, room-temperature control of molecular spin isomer alignment.
  • The demonstrated technique offers a pathway for the analysis, enrichment, and physical separation of molecular spin modifications.
  • This work opens new possibilities for manipulating molecular states with high selectivity.