Optical isomerism

Functional group definition:

Atom/group of atoms in an organic molecule responsible for the characteristic reactions of the molecule.

Homologous series definition:

Set of organic compounds with the same functional group. Compounds differ in length of hydrocarbon chains.

Draw a primary amine with 5 carbons:

What type of amine is dimethyl amine, and draw it:

Secondary amine

What type of amine is ethyldimethyl amine, and draw it:

Tertiary amine

What is the general structure of an acid anhydride?

Draw the general structure of an N-substituted amide:

General structure of an ester?

Hydroxynitrile general structure?

What are stereoisomers?

Molecules with the same structural formula but different 3D arrangement in space

When do optical isomers occur?

When there are four different substituents attached to one carbon atom, resulting in two isomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, but non-identical.

Why are pairs of molecules that are non-superimposable called optical isomers?

They differ in the way that they rotate in the plane of polarisation of polarised light, either clockwise as a + isomer or anticlockwise as a negative isomer

What are enantiomers?

A pair of optical isomers

What is the central carbon bonded to the 4 groups known as?

Chiral centre or the asymmetric carbon atom, indicated by an asterix.

What happens to light waves if they pass through a polaroid?

The filter cuts out all vibrations except those in one place such as the vertical plane.

How do light waves vibrate relative to direction of motion of the light waves?

At a right angle