Optical Isomerism Flashcards
What do we use a ||| line for?
To show the bond is going towards the page
What do we use the solid triangle for ?
To show that the bond is going out of the page
What is an asymmetric carbon?
When a carbon is bonded to four different groups
When is carbon symmetrical?
- When carbon is bonded to two or more identical atoms
- When carbon has double bonds
If a molecule has an asymmetric carbon what is it called?
a chiral molecule
If we take a mirror image of a chiral molecule can we make them look identical?
No therefore they are non- superimposable
What does an enantiomer mean?
When two molecules are non-superimposable images of each other.
Why do we call enantiomers optically active?
Because they affect plane polarised light
What happens when light passes through two different enantiomers?
The plane polarised light rotates one way in one enantiomer and the other way for another enantiomer.
What is a racemic mixture?
A mixture that contains 50:50 mixture of both enantiomer.
How does a racemic mixture affect plane polarised light?
It doesn’t because the mixture has a 50:50 ratio light passes through the same way.
What do we call molecules that are non superimposable images of each other?
Enantiomers
What do enantiomers have?
The same structural formula but different spatial arrangement of atoms
What is plane polaeised light?
Light that oscillates in one direction
