Stereoisomerism: Unlocking the Secrets of Molecular Twins

The video tutorial explains stereoisomerism, focusing on configurational and conformational isomerism. Configurational isomers include enantiomers and diastereomers, with examples like lactic acid and butane isomers. The concept of optical activity is introduced, describing how chiral compounds affect plane polarized light. The tutorial also covers the behavior of light through polarizers and the visualization of polarized light in 3D and 2D animations.

What is the main difference between configurational and conformational isomers?

• Configurational isomers differ in spatial arrangement, while conformational isomers do not.

• Configurational isomers are superimposable, while conformational isomers are not.

• Configurational isomers are non-superimposable and non-interconvertible, while conformational isomers arise from rotation around sigma bonds.

• Configurational isomers are interconvertible, while conformational isomers are not.

Which of the following is an example of enantiomers?

• CIS 2-butene and trans 2-butene

• D lactic acid and L lactic acid

• Alkanes and cycloalkanes

• Carbon-carbon double bonds

What distinguishes diastereomers from enantiomers?

• Diastereomers are superimposable, while enantiomers are not.

• Diastereomers are not mirror images, while enantiomers are.

• Diastereomers are mirror images, while enantiomers are not.

• Diastereomers have identical physical properties, while enantiomers do not.

What is the role of a polarizer in the context of plane-polarized light?

• It reflects light at a specific angle.

• It converts normal light into plane-polarized light by allowing vibrations in only one plane.

• It allows light to vibrate in multiple planes.

• It absorbs all light except for one specific wavelength.

How does a chiral compound affect plane-polarized light?

• It changes the color of the light.

• It splits the light into two beams.

• It rotates the plane of the polarized light to the right or left.

• It absorbs the light completely.