Optical isomers

Definition

Optical isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientation of their atoms in space, leading to different optical activities. These isomers are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, much like left and right hands.

Related terms

Enantiomers:

Molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, characterizing a pair of optical isomers.

Chirality:

A property of a molecule that has a non-superimposable mirror image, making it asymmetric in such a way that the structure and its mirror image are not identical.

Racemic mixture: A 50/50 mixture of two enantiomers of a chiral molecule, which does not exhibit optical activity because the effects of each enantiomer cancel out