Question

Write any three differences between enantiomers and diastereomers.

Answer 1

Hint: Stereoisomers are classified to enantiomers and diastereomers. Enantiomers and diastereomers differ in only one thing i.e. the mirror image. Diastereomers are further classified to different types- geometric, conformational, epimers, meso compounds.

Complete step by step solution:
Chiral molecules are the molecules which cannot be superimposed on their mirror images through any type of movements. E.g., our hands cannot be superimposed on its mirror image.
Isomers are compounds having the same molecular formula and different structural formula. They are of two types- Stereoisomers and constitutional isomers.
Compounds in which there is a change in the spatial arrangement in atoms are termed as stereoisomers. They are further divided into enantiomers and diastereomers. Constitutional isomers are the one which have the same structural formula but different bond order.
The basic difference between enantiomers and diastereomers is that enantiomers are mirror images while diastereomers are not.
Two different molecules are said to be enantiomers if they are non-superimposable mirror images. They have the same boiling point, refractive index, density, melting point but different direction of rotation in the polarimeter. They interact differently with other chiral molecules. Enantiomers are difficult to separate.
Diastereomers are the non-superimposable non-mirror images. They have two or more chiral carbons. Asymmetric carbons which are attached to four different groups are called chiral carbons. Geometric isomers are an example of diastereomers. Separation is easy in the case of diastereomers. They have different melting point, boiling points.

Additional information:

Enantiomers	Diastereomers
Same boiling point, melting point	Different boiling point, melting point
Non-superimposable mirror images	Non-superimposable non mirror images
Difficult to separate	Easy to separate

Note: Enantiomers have opposite configurations at each chiral carbon. Diastereomers have matching and opposite configurations. Enantiomers present only in pairs while diastereomers can be of several molecules.