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Organic Chemistry

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Optical Isomerism

Optical Isomerism

The organic compound that has similar properties, similar molecular formula but has the ability to rotate on the right side or the left side ( anticlockwise or clockwise) are said to be optically active, and this phenomenon is called optical isomerism.

  • The optical isomer that is capable of rotating the plane of polarized light clockwise(right) is called a dextro-rotatory isomer.
  • The optical isomer that is capable of rotating the plane of polarized light anti-clockwise(left) is called levorotatory isomers.
  • The molecules that do not have an element of symmetry and are not superimposable on its own mirror image is called chiral molecules.

Enantiomers: Enantiomers are the molecules whose mirror images are not superimposable. This phenomenon is termed as enantiomerism.

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