Chirality And Optical Isomerism Flashcards
What is a chiral molecule
One that cannot be superimposed (placed on top of) on its mirror image
What is an asymmetric carbon atom
A carbon atom joined to four different groups/atoms
Do optical isomers have the same chemical reactions and physical properties
Have the same chemical reactions and physical properties except for their effect on polarised light
What are asymmetric molecules
Molecules with no plane of symmetry, they are chiral and exist in mirror-image forms
What are optical isomers
Occur in pairs made up of a chiral molecule and it’s non-superimposable mirror image. One mirror-image form rotates the plane of plane-polarised light clockwise and the other form anti-clockwise. Two different isomers called enantiomers
How to represent chiral atom
Asterisk *
What are the two types of stereoisomerism
E/Z and optical isomerism
