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Chemistry   >   Optical Isomerism

Isomers

 
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Optical Isomerism

In this course, Professor David Bergbreiter (Texas A&M) introduces us to the concept of optical isomerism, the idea that certain molecules have mirror images of themselves which are non-superimposable, giving rise to a completely new set of properties. We begin by: (i) first looking at the concept of isomers, where optical isomers can be found and an initial concept of non-superimposability, then; (ii) talking about where optical isomers (or enantiomers) can be found in medicine and introducing optical activity; (iii) and then moving on to develop the idea of optical activity, and how we use that to name and identify different enantiomers, using various different examples; (iv) then briefly touching on other nomenclature and representations; (v) and finally using this new nomenclature we have learned on a more advanced level with real molecule.

Isomers

In this first mini-lecture, Professor Bergbreiter first introduces the idea of isomerism: the different kinds of isomerism we can get and where optical isomers fit in the family. This special kind of isomer has a unique trait: that their mirror images are non-superimposable. We learn the definition of this term in the context of chemistry but also look at some real-world examples of where we can see this. Then returning to chemistry, we start to learn how non-superimposability of mirror images can give them different biological functions.

Cite this Lecture

APA style

Bergbreiter, D. (2022, January 18). Optical Isomerism - Isomers [Video]. MASSOLIT. https://massolit.io/courses/optical-isomerism/methods-of-naming-enantiomers

MLA style

Bergbreiter, D. "Optical Isomerism – Isomers." MASSOLIT, uploaded by MASSOLIT, 18 Jan 2022, https://massolit.io/courses/optical-isomerism/methods-of-naming-enantiomers

Lecturer

Prof. David Bergbreiter

Prof. David Bergbreiter

Texas A&M University