Structural Isomerism
- Chain
- Position
- Functional
Stereoisomerism
- Optical isomerism
- Geometric
- Carbon
Optical Isomerism
Optical isomerism is a type of stereochemistry where the isomers are optically active and will rotate plane polarized light. They occur when there are 4 different substituents attached to one chiral center. Optical isomers are non-super imposable mirror images of one another, but are not identical. They are said to be chiral, and the two isomers are called a pair of enantiomers. Only a carbon attached to 4 different groups can show optical isomerism. The optical isomers are classified as the (+) isomer / D isomer / R isomer and the (-) isomer / L isomer / S isomer.
Optical Activity
The two enantiomers of an optically active molecule will rotate the plane polarized light in opposite directions, one clockwise and one anticlockwise.
Optical Isomerism Formula
Optical isomers are optically active and will rotate plane polarized light when you pass plane polarized light through an optically active compound.
Optical Isomers Examples
Optical isomers occur when there are 4 different substituents attached to one chiral center. They are non-super imposable mirror images of one another, but are not identical.
Optical Isomerism in Coordination Compounds
Optical isomers are a type of stereochemistry where the isomers are optically active and will rotate plane polarized light.
Types of Stereochemistry
The corbon bonded to the 4 different groups, except glycine, has a chiral center that makes the compounds optically active.
Chiral Compounds
A chiral compound contains an asymmetric carbon atom, or stereocenter, around which four different groups are arranged.
Chiral Centre Meaning
A chiral center is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different atoms or groups.
Chiral Centre Examples
Examples of chiral centers can be found in compounds such as 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and amino acids.
Identifying Chiral Centers
Only a carbon attached to 4 different groups can show optical isomerism. In organic chemistry, one method of identifying chiral centers is to find a carbon atom that is bonded to four different atoms or groups.
Stereoisomerism in Organic Chemistry
Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but a different structural or spatial arrangement of atoms. This variation can lead to a difference in physical or chemical properties.
Geometric Isomerism
Geometric isomerism occurs when the atoms or groups of atoms present in the molecule differ in their arrangement in space.
Carbon Isomerism
Carbon isomerism refers to the isomers in which the atoms are bonded in a different order around the central carbon atom resulting in different arrangements in space.
Stereoisomerism Examples
An example of stereoisomerism is the production of two optical isomers from the same compound with four different groups attached to the chiral center.
Types of Stereoisomerism
The two different types of stereoisomerism are optical isomerism and geometric isomerism.
Stereoisomerism Notes
Stereoisomerism is a type of isomerism in which the atoms are bonded in the same order but differ in spatial arrangements.
Stereocenter vs Chiral Center
A stereocenter is a term generally used in place of chiral centers, particularly in the context of coordination compounds, and can refer to an atom where the interchange of two groups produces a stereoisomer.
Two Different Types of Stereoisomerism
The two different types of stereoisomerism are optical isomerism and geometric isomerism.
Identifying Chiral Centers Practice
Practice in identifying chiral centers involves finding carbon atoms that are bonded to four different groups.
Chiral Center Rules
Chiral centers must have four unique groups attached to them, and they must be non-superimposable mirror images.
Chiral Center Calculator
A chiral center calculator can be used to determine whether a given compound has a chiral center or not.
Optical Isomerism and Stereoisomerism
Optical isomerism is a type of stereoisomerism where the isomers are optically active and will rotate plane polarized light.
In conclusion, the topic of optical isomerism and stereoisomerism is broad and encompasses various aspects of chemistry, such as chiral compounds, chiral centers, and different types of stereoisomerism. Understanding the concepts of optical isomerism and how it differs from other types of isomerism is crucial for the study of organic chemistry.
