Optical isomerism
What Optical isomerism means in Chemistry A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Optical isomerism
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Reference: OCR
A form of stereoisomerism in which isomers differ only in their spatial arrangement, being non-superimposable mirror images about a chiral centre.
Arises where a carbon atom carries four different groups, making the molecule and its mirror image non-superimposable.
A complex and its mirror image are non-superimposable, which happens with certain bidentate and multidentate ligands.
A form of stereoisomerism arising from chirality in molecules, where enantiomers differ in their effect on plane-polarised light.
Topics that use Optical isomerism
- Isomerism (AQA A-Level)
- Optical isomerism (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Amino acids, amides and chirality (OCR A-Level)
- Transition elements (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- chirality
- enantiomers
- racemic mixture
- stereoisomerism
- Acid–base reaction of the COOH group
- Amide and ester formation
- atomic number comparison
- attack from either side
Using Optical isomerism in the exam
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