Optical Isomerism Flashcards
Different types of isomerism
Structural
Stereoisomerism
Types of structural isomerism
Chain
Position
Functional group
Types of stereoisomerism
E/Z
Optical
What do we call a carbon atom that has four different groups attached to it?
Chiral carbon atom
What are enantiomers
Two compounds that are optical isomers of each other
What is a race mate/racemic mixture
A mixture containing 50/50 mixture of two enantiomers
Do optical isomers have same chemical and physical properties
Yes
What effect does optical isomers have on polarised light
Optical isomers can rotate the plane of polarised light. One enantiomers will rotate it one way and the other the equal and opposite direction.
What effect does a racemic mixture have on polarised light
No effect. The enantiomers are 50/50 mixture and cancel out the effect of the other. Optically inactive
Definition of structural isomerism
Same molecular formula
Different structural formula
Definition of stereoisomers
Same structural formula
Atoms arranged differently in space
