🥼organic chemistry review

Fischer projections

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Fischer projections are a two-dimensional drawing method used in organic chemistry to represent the three-dimensional spatial arrangement of atoms around chiral centers, primarily in carbohydrates. This method uses horizontal lines to represent bonds projecting forward (out of the plane) and vertical lines for bonds projecting backward (into the plane).