optical isomerism

Question 1

stereoisomersim

Answer 1

the same structural formula but different spatial arrangement

Question 2

optical isomerism

Answer 2

occurs in carbon compounds with 4 different groups of atoms attached

Question 3

what is a chiral carbon

Answer 3

the carbon atom with 4 different groups attached

Question 4

enantiomers

Answer 4

two compounds which are optical isomers

Question 5

how are enantiomers similar and different

Answer 5

they have similar physical and chemical properties but they rotate plane polarised light in different directions but by the same amount. one enantiomer rotates clockwise, and the other rotates anti clockwise.

Question 6

what is plane polarised ligtht

Answer 6

light which oscillates in one direction

Question 7

racemic mixtures

Answer 7

a mixture of equal amounts of both optical isomers. the mixture will not rotate plane polarised light.

Question 8

formation of a racemic mixture

Answer 8

forms when a reactant or an intermediate has a trigonal planar group and is approached from both sides by a species.

Question 9

why are racemic mixtures optically inactive

Answer 9

both enantiomers will rotate in equal amounts and cancel the rotations out