Molecular configuration
Encyclopedia
The configuration of a molecule
is the permanent geometry that results from the spatial
arrangement of its bonds
. The ability of the same set of atoms to form two or more molecules with different configurations is stereoisomerism
. Used as drugs, compounds with different configuration normally have different physiological activity, including the desired pharmacological effect, the toxicology and the metabolism.
Configuration is distinct from chemical conformation, a shape attainable by bond rotation
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Molecule
A molecule is an electrically neutral group of at least two atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by their electrical charge...
is the permanent geometry that results from the spatial
Space
Space is the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction. Physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless four-dimensional continuum...
arrangement of its bonds
Chemical bond
A chemical bond is an attraction between atoms that allows the formation of chemical substances that contain two or more atoms. The bond is caused by the electromagnetic force attraction between opposite charges, either between electrons and nuclei, or as the result of a dipole attraction...
. The ability of the same set of atoms to form two or more molecules with different configurations is stereoisomerism
Stereoisomerism
Stereoisomers are isomeric molecules that have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms , but that differ only in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space. This contrasts with structural isomers, which share the same molecular formula, but the bond connections...
. Used as drugs, compounds with different configuration normally have different physiological activity, including the desired pharmacological effect, the toxicology and the metabolism.
Configuration is distinct from chemical conformation, a shape attainable by bond rotation
Rotation
A rotation is a circular movement of an object around a center of rotation. A three-dimensional object rotates always around an imaginary line called a rotation axis. If the axis is within the body, and passes through its center of mass the body is said to rotate upon itself, or spin. A rotation...
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