Organic Chemistry Flashcards
chiral
an atom in a molecule that allows it to exist as non-superimposable forms. it can also refer to the molecule itself
asymmetric
a carbon atom in a molecule that is joined to four different atoms or groups
enantiomers
isomers that are related as object and mirror image
optical activity
when a substance rotates the plane of polarisation of plane-polarised light
unpolarised light
has oscillations in all planes at right angles to the direction of travel
polarimeter
the apparatus used to measure the angle of rotation caused by a substance
polariser
a material that converts unpolarised light into plane-polarised light
analyser
a material that allows plane-polarised light to pass through it
racemic mixture
an equimolar mixture of two enantiomers that has no optical activity
bimolecular mechanism
has two species reacting in the rate determining step
unimolecular mechanism
has one species reacting in the rate determining step
nucleophilic addition
a type of mechanism in which a molecule containing two atoms or groups is added across a polar double bond (usually C=O). The attacking species in the first step is the nucleophile
Derivatives
compounds formed from other compounds, especially when the properties of the derivatives can be used to identify the original compound.
hydrolysis
the breaking of a compound by water into two compounds.
condensation polymerisation
the formation of a polymer, usually by reaction of two monomers, and in which a small molecule is formed.