optical isomers

Question 1

what is a structural isomer

Answer 1

same molecular formula different
structures (or structural formulae)

Question 2

what is a functional group isomer

Answer 2

Compounds with the same molecular formula but with atoms arranges to give different
functional groups

Question 3

what is a stereo isomer

Answer 3

have the same structural formulae
but have a different spatial arrangement of atoms

Question 4

what are the two types of stereo isomers

Answer 4

geometrical (E- Z isomerism) and optical isomerism

Question 5

describe stereo isomers and where they occur

Answer 5

Optical isomerism occurs in carbon compounds with 4
different groups of atoms attached to a carbon (called
an asymmetric carbon).

Question 6

what is a chiral carbon atom

Answer 6

A carbon atom that has four different groups attached is called a chiral(asymmetric) carbon atom

Question 7

what is a racemate mixture

Answer 7

A mixture containing a 50/50 mixture of the two isomers (enantiomers) is described as being a racemate or racemic mixture.

Question 8

what is an enanti omers

Answer 8

Two compounds that are optical isomers of
each other are called enantiomers.

Question 9

Why are racemics different to optical
Isomers

Answer 9

Because they don’t rotate plane- polarised light

Question 10

Compounds with a chiral centre are also known as

Answer 10

Optically active compounds

Question 11

How are race mate formed

Answer 11

In a reaction mechanism where a trigonal planar is approached by both sides by an attacking species

E.g a nucleophile or and electrophile

Question 12

An example of race mate formation

Answer 12

Nucleophilic addition of CN:-

Attacks carbon centre to form equal amounts of both enantiomers

Question 13

Examples of where different optical isomers have different effects

Answer 13

Thalidomide
One enantiomer of thalidomide causes birth defects in unborn children
Whilst another was used as a useful sedative