Enantiomers & LCD: Practical Use of Polarized Light

[thunderfvck]

I read that one way to check how much a specific enantiomer rotates polarized light is to use an LCD display. Kind of vague in my memory and I'm curious about it. Does anyone know how this is actually done practically?

 

[Chemicalsuperfreak]

Originally posted by thunderfvck
I read that one way to check how much a specific enantiomer rotates polarized light is to use an LCD display. Kind of vague in my memory and I'm curious about it. Does anyone know how this is actually done practically?

I haven't the foggiest. I just use a polarimeter, although it's got an LCD display.

 

[ravenprp]

Yes, using an LCD display is a practical and commonly used method to determine the optical activity of enantiomers. This is because LCD displays are made up of liquid crystal molecules that have a chiral structure, meaning they exist in two mirror-image forms (enantiomers). These molecules can rotate the polarization of light passing through them.

To determine the optical activity of a specific enantiomer, the enantiomer is placed in front of the LCD display. The display emits polarized light, which is then passed through the enantiomer. The amount of rotation of the light passing through the enantiomer is measured by a polarimeter or a light detector, which can then determine the specific rotation of the enantiomer.

This method is practical because LCD displays are readily available and the equipment needed is relatively inexpensive. It is also a non-destructive method, meaning the enantiomer can be reused for further testing. However, it is important to note that this method only works for enantiomers that are optically active, meaning they can rotate the polarization of light. Enantiomers that are not optically active will not produce a measurable rotation on the LCD display.