Sir,

Please explain what is sterioselective reaction and steriospecific reaction?Give some examples?

Stereochemistry, a subdiscipline of chemistry, involves the study of the relative spatial arrangement of atoms

within molecules.

Stereospecific Reaction: A reaction in which the stereochemistry of the reactant completely determines the

stereochemistry of the product without any other option.

Stereoselective Reaction: A reaction in which there is a choice of pathway, but the product stereoisomer is

formed due to its reaction pathway being more favourable than the others available.

Hi Deb,

        A reaction in which the stereochemistry (i.e., cis-trans, E – Z or d & L or R & S) of the reactant determines the setereochemistry of the product is called as stereospecific reaction. Ex -> substitution reactions of alkyl halides.

        While, if a reaction proceeds such that there is a choice of pathway, but the stereospecific product is formed due to its reaction pathway being move favourable than the others available is called as stereoselective reaction.

        Ex -> an internal alkyne of reaction with Na in liquid ammonia always forms trans alkene.