See image — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Analysis of Stereoisomerism **Step 1: Identify the chiral center** Both compounds have a stereogenic center at the carbon bearing the isopropyl group (marked with wedge bond). This carbon is attached to four different groups. **Step 2: Compare molecular formulas** Both compounds have the same molecular formula ($C_9H_{14}O$), so they are isomers of some type. **Step 3: Determine if they're mirror images** - Left compound: ketone at position 1, isopropyl group pointing **back** (wedge) - Right compound: ketone at position 2, isopropyl group pointing **back** (wedge) The two structures are **non-superimposable mirror images** of each other—one is the spatial reflection of the other. **Step 4: Eliminate other options** - **(A) Diastereomers**: Would have the same connectivity but differ at some (not all) stereogenic centers - **(C) Epimers**: Specific type of diastereomers differing at one stereogenic center - **(D) Regiomers**: Differ in connectivity/position of functional groups (not applicable here) **Answer: (B) enantiomers** — The compounds are non-superimposable mirror images with opposite stereochemistry at the chiral center.