Chapter 5, Problem 41PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The value of specific rotation for the given compound has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

The specific rotation (α), is a fundamental property of chiral substances that is expressed as the angle to which the material causes polarized light to rotate at a particular temperature, wavelength, and concentration.

The specific rotation of a molecule can be calculated by using the formula given below.

  ${[\alpha ]}^T{}_{{}_{{}_{\lambda }}}=\frac{{\alpha }_{obs}(\mathrm{deg}ree)}{l(dm).C(\frac{g}{mL})}$

$\begin{array}{l}\text{alpha }\left(\text{α}\right)\text{ represents the observed rotation measured with a polarimeter}\text{.}\\ \text{ l represents the length of the sample tube}\text{. }\\ \text{C is the concentration of a solution of a pure sample}\text{.}\\ \text{λ is the wave length of the light}\text{.}\end{array}$

Chiral center: A chiral center is defined as the tetrahedral carbon atom in an organic molecule that is connected to four non-identical groups/substituents. It is sometimes known as a stereo genic center.

The carbon atom bonded to four unlike groups is called an asymmetric carbon atom and is also known as chiral carbon.