Optical isomerism (A-level only) (3.3.7) | AQA A-level Chemistry - (7405)

3.3.7 Optical isomerism (A-level only)

Compounds that contain an asymmetric carbon atom form stereoisomers that differ in their effect on plane polarised light. This type of isomerism is called optical isomerism.

Content	Opportunities for skills development
$Optical isomerism is a form of stereoisomerism and occurs as a result of chirality in molecules, limited to molecules with a single chiral centre. An asymmetric carbon atom is chiral and gives rise to optical isomers (enantiomers), which exist as non super-imposable mirror images and differ in their effect on plane polarised light. A mixture of equal amounts of enantiomers is called a racemic mixture (racemate). Students should be able to: draw the structural formulas and displayed formulas of enantiomers understand how racemic mixtures (racemates) are formed and why they are optically inactive.$	$MS 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 Students could be asked to recognise the presence of a chiral centre in a given structure in 2D or 3D forms. They could also be asked to draw the 3D representation of chiral centres in various species. Students understand the origin of optical isomerism. AT a and k$

Content

Opportunities for skills development

Optical isomerism is a form of stereoisomerism and occurs as a result of chirality in molecules, limited to molecules with a single chiral centre. An asymmetric carbon atom is chiral and gives rise to optical isomers (enantiomers), which exist as non super-imposable mirror images and differ in their effect on plane polarised light. A mixture of equal amounts of enantiomers is called a racemic mixture (racemate). Students should be able to: draw the structural formulas and displayed formulas of enantiomers understand how racemic mixtures (racemates) are formed and why they are optically inactive.

MS 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 Students could be asked to recognise the presence of a chiral centre in a given structure in 2D or 3D forms. They could also be asked to draw the 3D representation of chiral centres in various species. Students understand the origin of optical isomerism. AT a and k

Optical isomerism (A-level only)