Optical isomerism

Question 1

What does chiral mean

Answer 1

Greek word for handedness

Question 2

Chiral compounds are

Answer 2

Non super imposable
Mirror images
Enantiomers
Form of stereoisomerism
Can be a. C atom with 4 different groups - Chiral Centre (Most common form)

Question 3

What does non superimposable mean

Answer 3

The enantiomers are mirrored and cannot be directly overlayedl

Question 4

What is an enatiomer

Answer 4

Mirrored versions of the same chiral compound

Question 5

What is a racemic mixture

Answer 5

Mixture of both enantiomers

Question 6

What does optically active mean

Answer 6

chiral

Question 7

If a molecule has one chiral centre, how many optical isomers will there be?

Answer 7

2

Question 8

What is the difference between enantiomers of the same compound and how can the compound be identified?

Answer 8

Their ability to rotate plane polarised light, one rotates it clockwise and the other anticlockwise, compound can be determined by angle of rotation

Question 9

Why cam polarised light not be used in a racemic mixture?

Answer 9

Enantiomers will rotate plane polarised light both clockwise and anticlockwise, keeping the angle at 0

Question 10

What type of mechanism typically forms a racemic mixture?

Answer 10

Nucleophilic addition