Understanding Anisomerism in Organic Chemistry

Anisomeric refers to a situation where two or more molecules have the same molecular formula (i.e., the same number of atoms) but differ in their three-dimensional arrangement of atoms, specifically in the orientation of their chemical bonds. This can result in different physical and chemical properties for each isomer, such as different melting points, boiling points, solubility, and reactivity.

The term "anisomeric" comes from the Greek words "ana" meaning "again" and "isomeros" meaning "equal in form". It was coined to describe the phenomenon where two or more molecules have the same molecular formula but differ in their three-dimensional arrangement of atoms.

Anisomerism is a common phenomenon in organic chemistry, particularly when there are multiple possible ways to connect atoms in a molecule. For example, in the molecule C6H12O6, there are two possible isomers: one with a ring structure and another with a linear structure. These two isomers have different physical and chemical properties, even though they have the same molecular formula.