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Optical Isomers definitions

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Terms in this set (11)

  • Chiral molecule
    A molecule with a carbon atom bonded to four different groups, causing it to rotate plane-polarized light.
  • Polarimeter
    An instrument used to measure the angle of rotation caused by passing polarized light through an optically active substance.
  • Observed rotation
    The angle by which plane-polarized light is rotated when it passes through a chiral substance.
  • Dextrorotatory
    A substance that rotates plane-polarized light to the right, or clockwise, with a positive observed rotation.
  • Levorotatory
    A substance that rotates plane-polarized light to the left, or counterclockwise, with a negative observed rotation.
  • Enantiomers
    Pairs of chiral molecules that are mirror images of each other and rotate light in opposite directions.
  • Optical activity
    The ability of a chiral molecule to rotate plane-polarized light.
  • Clockwise rotation
    The direction of light rotation associated with dextrorotatory substances.
  • Counterclockwise rotation
    The direction of light rotation associated with levorotatory substances.
  • Chiral center
    A carbon atom within a molecule bonded to four different groups, leading to chirality.
  • Optically active
    A characteristic of substances that can rotate plane-polarized light due to chirality.