Optical Isomers Flashcards
What is optical isomerism?
It is a type of stereoisomerism where molecules have the same molecular formula but different spacial arrangement of atoms in space. It occurs when there is a symmetrical carbon within an organic molecule known as a chiral centre.
What is a chiral centre?
It is a carbon atom with 4 different functional groups bonded around it so there is no line of symmetry to the molecule.
NOTE: All optical isomers have chiral centres.
What is an enantiomer?
A pair of isomers that are mirror images of each other.
What is an optical isomer?
Two or more forms of a compound which have the same structure but are mirror images of each other and typically differ in optical activity.
What is a racemate?
When optical isomers are produced as a pair of enantiomers in a 1:1 ratio.
What is a racemic mixture?
Where the optical rotational effect on polarised light caused by each enantiomer causes the overall effect to be zero as the opposite directions of rotation cancel out, resulting in the mixture being produced being optically inactive.
