vinter said:The only sure test to see whether a molecule is optically active or not is to make a model and see whether its mirror image is super-imposable on it or not. If it is superimposable, it's not optically active.
Optically active compounds are molecules that have the ability to rotate the plane of polarized light. This means that when polarized light passes through the compound, the light is bent in a specific direction. This property is due to the asymmetrical arrangement of atoms in the molecule, which causes the compound to have a chiral or non-superimposable mirror image.
Optically active compounds interact with polarized light by rotating its plane of polarization. This means that the light waves are bent in a specific direction as they pass through the compound, resulting in a change in the angle of the light waves. The amount of rotation is dependent on the specific compound and its concentration in a solution.
A chiral molecule is one that has a non-superimposable mirror image, meaning that the molecule and its mirror image are not identical. This results in chirality or handedness, which gives the molecule the ability to rotate the plane of polarized light. An achiral molecule, on the other hand, has a superimposable mirror image and therefore does not exhibit optical activity.
Optically active compounds have a variety of uses in everyday life. They are commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry to create drugs that have specific effects on the body. They are also used in the food industry to create artificial flavors and fragrances. Optically active compounds are also used in the production of LCD screens, as well as in the manufacturing of polarizing sunglasses.
Yes, optically active compounds can be separated from their mirror images through a process called enantiomer separation. This involves using techniques such as chromatography or crystallization to physically separate the two forms of the compound. Enantiomer separation is important in the pharmaceutical industry, as it allows for the production of drugs with specific effects and fewer side effects.