The difference between Stereoisomerism and Structural isomerism

When used as nouns, stereoisomerism means a form of isomerism in which atoms are arranged differently about a chiral centre (or centre of asymmetry). they exhibit optical activity, and in a molecule with a single chiral centre the two isomers (enantiomers) are mirror images of each other whereas in a molecule with multiple chiral centres the isomers (diastereoisomers) are not normally mirror images, whereas structural isomerism means a form of isomerism in which the same atoms are arranged in different orders, either having the same or different functional groups.


check bellow for the other definitions of Stereoisomerism and Structural isomerism

  1. Stereoisomerism as a noun (chemistry):

    A form of isomerism in which atoms are arranged differently about a chiral centre (or centre of asymmetry). They exhibit optical activity, and in a molecule with a single chiral centre the two isomers (enantiomers) are mirror images of each other whereas in a molecule with multiple chiral centres the isomers (diastereoisomers) are not normally mirror images.

  1. Structural isomerism as a noun (chemistry):

    A form of isomerism in which the same atoms are arranged in different orders, either having the same or different functional groups.