O2: 25 Nomenclature and isomerism Flashcards
What is optical isomerism?
A form of stereoisomerism which occurs as a result of chirality in molecules, limited to molecules with a single chiral centre
What is an asymmetric carbon atom?
A chiral centre.
What does a chiral centre give rise to?
Optical isomers (enantiomers), which exist as non super-imposable mirror images.
How do enantiomers differ?
Their effect on plane polarised light.
Their reactions with other chiral molecules.
What is a racemate/racemic mixture?
A mixture of equal amounts of enantiomers.
How are racemates formed?
React two achiral things to get a racemic mixture of a chiral mixture because there’s an equal chance of forming each of the enantiomers.
Why are racemates optically inactive?
The two enantiomers cancel each other’s light-rotating effect.
