Optical Isomerism Flashcards
1
Q
What is optical isomerism a form of
A
Stereoisomerism
2
Q
A chiral carbon is one with what attached
A
4 different groups
3
Q
Enantiomers are mirror
A
Images
4
Q
Optical isomers rotate
A
Plane polarised light in opposite directions
5
Q
A racemate contains
A
Equal quantities of each enantiomer of an optically active compound
6
Q
Why do racemates show no optical activity
A
As the enantiomers cancel each other out
7
Q
Two achiral reactants will give a 50/50 racemic mix of
A
Chiral compound
8
Q
Drugs must contain only one single
A
Optical isomer
9
Q
What might one enantiomer cause
A
Side effects or no effect at all
10
Q
What happened with thalidomide
A
One enantiomer cured sickness, the other caused birth defects
