Optical Isomerism

AQA A-level ChemistryTopic 9 of 186 lessons

Revision notes for Optical Isomerism in AQA Chemistry (7405). Every lesson in BrainCake comes with R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps, a quick check and spaced reviews.

1. ChiralitySome molecules are chiral: they are not superimposable on their mirror image.
2. Optical IsomersOptical isomerism is a form of stereoisomerism.
3. Plane-Polarised LightOrdinary light is made of waves that vibrate in all planes at right angles to the direction the light travels.
4. Racemic MixturesA racemic mixture (or racemate) is a mixture containing equal amounts (equimolar amounts) of the two enantiomers of a chiral compound.
5. Racemates from Nucleophilic AdditionThe carbonyl group, C=O, is planar.
6. Identifying Chiral CentresTo find a chiral centre, look for a carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups.

On the specification

• 3.3.7 Optical isomerism

All AQA A-level Chemistry topics