configurational isomerism

Configurational isomerism refers to molecules with the same atoms connected in the same order but arranged differently in space, resulting in distinct forms called isomers. These differences are fixed and cannot be changed without breaking chemical bonds. An example is optical isomers, where molecules are mirror images, or geometric isomers, where groups are positioned differently around a double bond or ring. This type of isomerism is important because different arrangements can lead to variations in chemical behavior and biological activity.