optical isomerism

what are the two types of seterioisomers

E-Z and optical

where does optical isomerism occur in

in molecules that have a carbon that has four different atoms or groups attached to it tetrahedrally

why do such compounds exhibit optical isomerism

because the tetrahedral molecule is asymmetric

as a result of such compounds being asymmetric what does this mean can occur

two tetrahedral arrangements in space

what is one tetrahedral arrangement to the other

a non-superimposable mirror image

what are optical isomers often called

enantiomers

what is a chiral molecule

a molecule that is asymmetric and exhibits optical isomerism

attempt example 1 and 2

what does a light beam consist of

waves that vibrate in all planes at right angles to the direction in which the beam is travelling

what does a polaroid filter allow

only light in plane to pass through

what happens when a light beam is passed through a polaroid filter

all the waves are absorbed apart from the ones vibrating in one particular plane

what is the light said to be

plane polarised

what is an optically active substance

a substance that can rotate the plane of plane polarised light

what happens when a beam of plane polarised light is passed through a solution of one optical isomer

the plane polarised light is rotated either to the left or to the right

what does the direction in which the plane polarised light is rotated dependent on

which isomer is used

what can optical isomers do

they can rotate the plane polarised light in opposite direction

hence what are optical isomers

they are optically active

if an enantiomer rotates the plane polarised light to the left what prefix is it given

• or L

if an enantiomer rotates plane polarised light to the right what prefix is it given

• or D

what is a racemic mixture

an optically inactive mixture of equal amounts of enantiomers of the same concentration

what is meant by plane polarised light

light in which all he waves vibrate in the same plane

what are enantiomers

stereoisomers that occur as a result of chirality in molecules. They exist as non-superimposable mirror images and differ in their effect on plane polarised light.

why is the separation of optical isomers difficult

because optical isomers have similar physical properties