Fischer projection

A two-dimensional convention for depicting stereochemistry in acyclic molecules, especially carbohydrates. Horizontal bonds project toward the viewer, while vertical bonds project away.

Cahn–Ingold–Prelog priority rules: Rules for ranking substituents by atomic number and structure to assign stereochemical descriptors. These priorities convert a Fischer drawing into an R or S configuration.
Stereochemistry: The study of the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in molecules and its effects. Fischer projection is a notation for recording a molecule’s stereochemistry.
Monosaccharide: A simple carbohydrate that cannot be hydrolyzed into smaller carbohydrates. Fischer projections make the configurations along sugar chains easy to compare.
Wedge–dash notation: A molecular drawing convention using solid and hashed wedges to show bonds toward or away from the viewer. It depicts local three-dimensional geometry without Fischer projection’s crossed-bond rules.
R–S notation: A system that labels a stereogenic center R or S according to the arrangement of its substituents. It provides an absolute configuration that can be derived from the projection.
Constitutional isomer: One of multiple compounds with the same molecular formula but different atom connectivity. Fischer projections distinguish spatial arrangements, not changes in connectivity.
D–L notation: A system assigning relative configuration by comparison with glyceraldehyde. In sugars, the projection identifies the reference stereocenter used for D or L assignment.
Newman projection: A drawing of a molecule viewed along a selected bond to show its conformation. Unlike a Fischer projection, it emphasizes rotation around a bond rather than chain stereochemistry.
Stereogenic center: An atom at which exchanging two attached groups produces a stereoisomer. Fischer projections commonly organize the configurations of stereogenic centers along a chain.
Stereoisomer: One of multiple compounds with the same atom connectivity but different three-dimensional arrangements. Fischer drawings are used to compare and specify stereoisomers.

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