Chapter 5, Problem 5.29P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The specific rotation of light of the given chiral compound, in a solution, is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

The amount by which the plane $\text{-}$ polarized light is rotated on passing through a sample of a chiral compound depends on both, the concentration of the chiral compound and the length of the sample tube through which the light travels.

${\text{α=([α]}}_{\text{λ}}^{\text{T}}\text{)(l)(c)}$

Where ($\text{α}$) is the measured angle of rotation, c is the concentration of the sample in units of grams per milliliter ($\text{g/mL}$), and l is the length of the sample tube in units of decimeters ($\text{dm}$) and term ${\text{[α]}}_{\text{λ}}^{\text{T}}$ indicates the specific rotation of a chiral compound. Most often, the light used for measurement is the sodium $\text{D}$ line ($\text{589}\text{.6 nm}$), abbreviated simply $\text{D}$, and the temperature is $\text{20 °C}$. Therefore, the specific rotation is usually reported as ${\text{[α]}}_{\text{D}}^{\text{20}}$.