Optical isomers

Definition

Optical isomers are molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, also known as enantiomers. They have identical physical and chemical properties except for their interaction with plane-polarized light and reactions in a chiral environment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Optical isomers are a type of stereoisomerism found frequently in coordination compounds of transition metals.
2. Enantiomers rotate plane-polarized light in opposite directions; one isomer is dextrorotary (rotates light clockwise) and the other is levorotary (rotates light counterclockwise).
3. The presence of a chiral center, typically a metal atom bonded to different ligands, gives rise to optical isomerism.
4. Optical activity can be measured using a polarimeter, which quantifies the angle by which the plane of polarized light is rotated.
5. In biological systems, only specific enantiomers may be active or effective due to the chirality of biomolecules.

Review Questions

• What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes optical isomers from each other?
• Why do optical isomers exhibit different behavior when interacting with plane-polarized light?
• How does a chiral center contribute to the formation of optical isomers?

Related terms

Chirality: Property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image, often leading to optical activity.

Stereoisomers: Isomers that have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms.

Coordination Compound: A compound consisting typically of a central metal atom or ion bonded to surrounding molecules or anions called ligands.