What are the two types of configurational isomers?

The two types of configurational isomers are indeed enantiomers and diastereomers. Configurational isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula and connectivity but differ in the arrangement of their atoms in space, which cannot be converted into one another through simple rotations about single bonds.

Enantiomers are a type of configurational isomer that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. They exhibit different optical activities, meaning that they rotate plane-polarized light in opposite directions. This property is critical, particularly in biological systems, where one enantiomer may be biologically active while the other is not, leading to different physiological effects.

Diastereomers, on the other hand, are configurational isomers that are not mirror images of each other. They typically have multiple chiral centers, and their properties can differ significantly, including boiling points, melting points, and solubilities. Because they are not mirror images, they do not have the same optical activity, which adds to their complexity in comparison to enantiomers.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for fields like pharmacology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry, where the three-dimensional arrangement of molecules plays a key role in their function and interactions. Other provided options do