Chirality and Optical Isomers Flashcards
1
Q
Define optical isomers?
A
Stereoisomers that are non - super imposable mirror images of each other found in molecules that contain a chiral centre
2
Q
Define a chiral centre?
A
A carbon atom that is attached to four different atoms or groups of atoms
3
Q
What does the presence of a chiral centre cause?
A
The presence of a chiral carbon atom leads to two super imposable mirror structures. Therefore, for each chiral carbon atoms leads to one pair of optical isomers
4
Q
How do you calculate the number of optical isomers?
A
2n
where n is the number of chiral carbons in a molecule
5
Q
Where do chiral carbons exist naturally?
A
- They exist in sugars, proteins and nucleic acids
6
Q
How do optical isomers rotate in response to polarised light?
A
- Optical isomers rotate plane polarised light in opposite directions
7
Q
What is a raemic mixture?
A
- A 50/50 mixture of each isomer is a raemic mixture which has no effect on plane polarised light
8
Q
How do you draw an optical isomer?
A
- A 3D arrangement of four different groups around a central chiral carbon atom
9
Q
Draw two optical isomers of C4H9OH
A
- notes x
