3.3.7 optical isomerism

Question 1

define stereoisomer

Answer 1

molecules with the same structural formula but a different 3D arrangement of atoms

Question 2

how does optical isomerism occur?

Answer 2

as a result of chirality in molecules

Question 3

what does chiral mean?

Answer 3

a carbon atom that has 4 different groups attached

Question 4

what is an enantiomer?

Answer 4

an optical isomer

Question 5

what differs between optical isomers?

Answer 5

rotate the plane of polarised light in opposite directions

Question 6

what name is given to a mixture of equal amounts of enantiomers?

Answer 6

racemic mixture

Question 7

explain what is meant by an ‘optically inactive mixture’

Answer 7

does not rotate the plane of polarised light

Question 8

explain why the product of a reaction may be optically inactive

Answer 8

there is an equal chance of a nucleophile attacking from above or below the planar carbonyl group, therefore a racemic mixture is formed which is optically inactive