isomerism

Question 1

asymmetric center

Answer 1

an atom which has 4 different atoms or groups attached

Question 2

optical isomerism

Answer 2

molecules which exist as non-superimposable mirror images

Question 3

optically active

Answer 3

a sample which rotates the plane of plane polarised light

Question 4

racemic mixture

Answer 4

a 50:50 mixture of two optical isomers

Question 5

structural isomers

Answer 5

molecules which have the same molecular formula but a different structural formula

Question 6

what are two optical isomers of a substance often called

Answer 6

enantiomers

Question 7

how is a racemate formed

Answer 7

mixing equal amounts of the same conc of to enantiomers gives an optically inactive mixture which has no affect on plane polarised light because the two opposite effects cancel eachother out (one rotates the plane of plane polarised light left and the other right)

Question 8

stereospecific reaction

Answer 8

one in which the stereochemistry of the reactants controls the product of the reaction
(specific to one enantiomer)

Question 9

how does the stereospecificity come about

Answer 9

due to the stereospecific nature of the receptor sites to which the drugs bind

Question 10

disadvantages of this stereospecificity for drugs

Answer 10

1. expensive
2. difficult to separate
3. the optical isomers which is not the correct drug most not give unwanted or harmful side effects