Stereoisomers Flashcards
Dextrorotatory
A compound exhibiting a positive rotation
Racemic mixture
A solution containing equal amounts of both enantiomers
Levorotatory
A compound exhibiting a negative rotation
Specific rotation
The observed rotation of a compound under standard conditions
R
A clockwise sequence of groups arranged around a chirality center
S
A counterclockwise sequence of groups arranged around chirality center
Enantiomer
The non-superimposable mirror image of a Chiral compound
Chirality center
A tetrahedral carbon bearing four different groups
Constitutional isomers
Compounds with the same molecular formula but a different order of atom connectivity
Stereoisomers
Molecules with the same molecular formula and constitution but different spatial arrangement of atoms
Optically active
Compounds that rotate the plane of plane-polarized light
Optically inactive
Compounds that lack the ability to rotate the plane of plane polarized light
Observed rotation
Dependent on the number of molecules that the light encounters as it travels through the solution
Optically pure; enantiomerically pure
A solution containing a single enantiomer
Enantiomers
Stereoisomers that are mirror images of one another
