Stereochemistry Unit 6 Edexcel Chemistry

Created by: Cat
Created on: 14-03-13 20:02

What are the two main types of stereoisomerism?

E-Z (cis-trans) isomerism and optical isomerism

1 of 10

In E-Z isomerism, what would you label a molecule with two groups of higher priority on the same side of the double bond?

Z-isomer

2 of 10

In E-Z isomerism, what would you name a molecule with two groups of higher priority on opposite sides of the double bond?

E-isomer

3 of 10

Define asymmetric molecules

Molecules with no centre, axis or plane of symmetry. These are chiral and exist in mirror image forms. Any carbon atom with four different groups or atoms attached to it is asymmetric and chiral

4 of 10

What is another name for 'optical isomers'?

Enantiomers

5 of 10

What is a racemic mixture?

A mixture of equal amounts of two mirror-image forms of a chiral compound. It does not rotate plane-polarised light as the optical isomers have equal and opposite effects so they cancel each other out

6 of 10

What happens when plane-polarised light is passed through a solution of just one chiral compound?

The plane of polarisation of the light is rotated. If it is rotated clockwise the isomer is called the +isomer, and if it is rotated anticlockwise it is called the -isomer

7 of 10

What instrument is used by chemists to measure the rotations of monochromatic light?

A polarimeter

8 of 10

What happens when an optically active halogenoalkane reacts with a hydroxide group in an SN2 reaction mechanism?

An optically active alcohol is formed

9 of 10

What happens if the optically active halogenoalkane and hydroxide ion react in an SN1 mechanism?

The product formed is a racemic mixture of the chiral alcohol, so is optically inactive

10 of 10

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

In E-Z isomerism, what would you label a molecule with two groups of higher priority on the same side of the double bond?

Back

Z-isomer

Card 3

Front

In E-Z isomerism, what would you name a molecule with two groups of higher priority on opposite sides of the double bond?

Back

Card 4

Front

Define asymmetric molecules

Back

Card 5

Front

What is another name for 'optical isomers'?

Back

View more cards

Get Revising

Stereochemistry Unit 6 Edexcel Chemistry