Isomerism 2 Flashcards
Optical isomerism
What is optical isomerism?
optical isomerism occurs when a carbon atom has four different atoms or groups of atoms attached to it.
What do all optical isomers have?
asymmetrical atom or a chiral centre
When a molecule has a chiral centre..?
there are 2 non-superimposable isomers that are mirror images of each other
give an example of optical isomerism?
2-chlorobutane - chlorine group, ethyl group, methyl group and a hydrogen atom attached
what does non-superimposable mean?
means you can not stack one form exactly on top of the other.
what categories do spoons fall into?
mirror images and superimposable
what categories do books fall into?
superimposable but not mirror images
what categories do hands fall into?
non-superimposable and mirror images
for optical isomerism which two categories do they need to fall into?
must be non-superimposable and mirror images
what is the difference between optical isomers and enantiomers?
Enantiomers have the same physical properties except that they differ in their effect on the plane of polarised light (instead they are optically active)
when does plane-polarised light vibrate?
only in one plane
How many enantiomers can we have?
2
in which ways will these enantiomers rotate?
one enantiomer will rotate the plane of the polarised light clockwise (+)
the other enantiomer will rotate the plane of polarised light anticlockwise (-)
how can we measure the rotation of light?
using a polarimeter
how exactly does this work?
by observing the polarised light coming out towards the observer
Which two forms can enantiomers take?
Dextrorotary and Laevorotary
If an enantiomer takes the Dextrorotory form then..?
the light appears to have turned to the right (clockwise) to form a positive (+) dextrorotary enantiomer
If the enantiomer takes a Laevorotary form then light…?
appears to have taken a left turn (anticlockwise) to form a negative enantiomer (-)
Draw out the polarimeter and label which each part does what
A - light source produces light vibrating in all directions
B - polarising filter only allows through light vibrating in one direction
C - plane polarised light passes through the sample
D - if substance is optically active it rotates the plane of polarised light
E - analysing filter is turned so that light reaches a maximum
F - direction of rotation is measure coming towards the observer
what would be classed as an optically inactive mixture?
a mixture of equal amounts of both enantiomers (50:50) is optically inactive because the optical effects of each enantiomer cancel each other out
And what would this mixture be referred to as?
Racemate/ racemic mixture
Optical isomerism is important in..?
Biochemistry
why is only one enantiomer formed in nature?
when optically active molecules are made in nature, only one enantiomer is formed. this is because biological systems involve enzymes that are stereospecific in their action.
*in nature, the molecule is made by enzymes that are stereospecific in their action.
* the enzyme will be a single enantiomer that will only react with one enantiomer to make a single enantiomer.