Optical isomers

A compound capable of forming optical isomers:

• has a carbon with 4 different groups

• is at least 4 carbons long

• has a mirror image

• reflects plane polarised light

Can this compound can form optical isomers?

• No

• yes

• depends on whether it wants to or not

The optical isomer of this compound is

• 
• 
• 

Optcial isomers have:

• polarised light

• non-superimposable mirror images

• mirror images

• superimposable mirror images

OPtical isomers

• reflect polarised light in opposite directions

• rotate polarised light in opposite directions

• reflect plane polarised light in opposite directions

• rotate plane polarised light in opposite directions

Optical isomers react differently with

• Non-optically active reagents

• Optically active reagents

• NaOH

• HCl

Butanoic acid is:

• Optically active

• Non-optically active

• Basic

2-methylbutanoic acid is:

• Optically active

• Non-optically active

• Basic