Optical Isomers Flashcards
1
Q
What is an optical isomer?
A
Molecules which have the same structural formula but have a different arrangement of atoms around a chiral carbon or a non-superimposable mirror image.
2
Q
What is an enantiomer?
A
One of a pair of optical isomers.
3
Q
What is a racemic mixture?
A
A 50:50 mix of enantiomers.
4
Q
What does chiral mean?
A
Asymmetric
5
Q
Why might a carbon not be chiral?
A
-Has a double bond.
-Two groups attached are the same.
6
Q
What makes a carbon chiral?
A
4 different groups/element attached to one carbon.
7
Q
How can a chiral molecule be identified (method).
A
-Shine polarised light that will be rotated in equal and opposite directions by each enantiomer.
-Rotation is measured by a polarimeter.
