A chiral / asymmetriccarbon atom is one that has four different groups attached to it
Enantiomers are mirror images and no matter which way you turn them, they can’t be superimposed
define what is meant by a chiral centre [1]
A central carbon atom that has four different groups attached to it
Define what is meant by an enantiomer [1]
Mirror images that no matter how they are turned, can never be superimposed
What is the process of plane polarised light? [2]
Normal light vibrates in all directions. Plane polarised light only vibrates in one direction. Optical isomers are optically active- they rotate plane polarised light. One enantiomer rotates in a clockwise direction, and the other rotates in an anticlockwise direction
Define what is meant by a racemate [2]
A racemate / racemic mixture contains equal quantities of each enantiomer of an optically active compound
A race mic mixture contains equal quantities of each enantiomer of an opticallyactive compound
Racemic mixtures don’t show any optical activity as the two enantiomers cancel one another out
When two molecules react there is an equal chance of forming each of the enantiomers
Double bonds such as C=O and C=C are planar and so the products that happen at the carbonyl group of aldehydes and unsymmetrical ketones are often enantiomer present as a racemic mixture
symmetricalketone will make a product without a chiral centre and so wont display optical isomerism
