3.5 Optical Isomerism

Question	Answer
When does Optical Isomerism arise?	It arises when there are different ways in which you can arrange four groups around a carbon atom.
When do two isomeric forms emerge?	When there are four different atoms or groups attached to four bonds.
Two Isomers of Alanine	Image: 4fb5bc1e-55c5-4f87-9cbf-1316164ddf93 (image/jpg)
Do all molecules have mirror images?	Molecules have mirror images and don't exist as two isomers.
Alanine	1) Two forms 2) Mirror image and original image 3) Non-superimposable
How do you superimpose Alanine?	Break the C-NH2 and C-COOH and swap the groups around.
Enatiomers	Two forms and are also known as optical isomers or enantiomers. Molecules contains a carbon atom surrounded by four different atoms or groups.
What is a Chiral Centre?	Four different groups bonded to a carbon atom.
How are Enantiomers similar?	1. Behave identically in ordinary test tube chemical reactions. 2. Physical properties are the same
When do Enatiomers behave differently?	Enantiomers behave differently in the presence of other chiral molecules.
What are Proteins built up from?	Built up from chiral amino acids.
When can Enantiomers interact differently?	1. Chiral taste buds on your tongue. 2. Enantiomers can smell differently. 3. Beneficial medicines have enatiomers little/no pharmacological effect. Enantiomers are expensive to seperate.

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	Created by sonia-u about 10 years ago