7O- Optical Isomers Flashcards
1
Q
What type of isomerism is optical isomerism
A
Stereoisomerism
2
Q
When does optical isomerism occur
A
When 4 different groups of atoms are attached to a carbon
Called a chiral carbon (denoted with asterisk *)
3
Q
How do optical isomers exist
A
Both isomers (enantiomers) are non superimposable (can be distinguished from eachother) and are mirror images
4
Q
What’s similar and different between two optical isomers (enantiomers)
A
Both have similar physical and chemical properties
Each have a different effect on plane polarised light
5
Q
What’s a racemic mixture and it’s effect on plane polarised light
A
A mixture which has an equal amount of enantiomers
Will not rotate plane polarised light, the rotation of light caused by each isomer cancels out the other
