3.7 Optical Isomerism Flashcards
(8 cards)
1
Q
Optical isomers
A
Non-superimposable mirror images
2
Q
Requirements for optical isomers
A
Carbon atom with four different atoms/groups bonded to it
3
Q
Name for the C atom at the center of an optical isomer
A
Chiral carbon (asymetrical carbon)
4
Q
Name for optical isomers
A
Enantiomers
5
Q
Effect of isomers on plane polarised light
A
They rotate plane polarised light by the same amount but in opposite directions
6
Q
Racemic mixture
A
A mixture of equal amounts of the two enantiomers
7
Q
Will a racemic mixture rotate plane polarised light
A
No - The two enantiomers will cancel each other out as they are present in equal quantities
8
Q
What causes a mixture to be racemic?
A
The shape of the reactant / intermediate, which has an equal probability of reacting in two different places
