Chapter 25 - Nomenclature and Isomerism (2) Flashcards
1
Q
What is an optical isomer?
A
A non-superimposable mirror image of a compound formed by an assymetric carbon atom, also known as a chiral carbon
2
Q
What are the two different optical isomers called, and what do they do which makes them different?
A
They are called enantiomers, and each enantiomer will reflect plane polarised light in opposite directions
3
Q
What is a racemic mixture?
A
A racemic mixture is a mixture of optical isomers which contain equal amounts of both enantiomers
4
Q
What is a chiral carbon?
A
A carbon which is bonded to four different groups
5
Q
Why are racemates optically inactive?
A
Because the two optical isomers are in equal concentrations, they rotate the light the same amount in opposite directions and therefore cancel each other out
