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The Stereochemistry of Biochemical Molecules: A Subject to Revisit

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Josep J. Centelles and Santiago Imperial

Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028-Barcelona, Spain

J. Chem. Educ., 2005, 82 (1), p 75

DOI: 10.1021/ed082p75

Publication Date (Web): January 1, 2005

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Although Fischer’s convention for stereoisomers is useful for simple molecules, the stereochemistry of complex biochemical molecules is often poorly indicated in textbooks. This article reports on errors in stereochemistry of complex hydrosoluble vitamin B₁₂ molecule. Twenty-five popular biochemistry textbooks were examined for their treatment of the stereoisomery of vitamin B₁₂. Mistakes, discrepancies, and oddities reported in vitamin B₁₂ are just an example of this problem. Biochemistry textbook authors and teachers should pay more attention to the stereoisomery of biochemical molecules to avoid students’ confusion.