Chapter 20, Problem 20.105SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Define racemic mixture. Does it attect plane-polarized light.

Concept introduction:

Enantiomers are sometimes called optical isomers because of their effect on plane polarized light. Enantiomers are labelled (+) or (-) depending on the direction of rotation of the plane of polarisation. A 1:1 mixture of the (+) and (-) isomers, called a racemic mixture.

To determine:

Define racemic mixture. Does it attect plane-polarized light.