Why are chiral molecules optically active?

1 Answer
MeneerNask
Jan 10, 2015

Not only chiral molecules are optically active.

Optically active means they rotate the plane of polarization. Either to the right (D) or to the left (L).

If we have a molecule with a chiral (asymmetrical) C-atom in it, it is possible to have two versions of the molecule, one being the mirror image of the other.(try this with the balls-and-sticks). Just like a pair of gloves.

Whereas one of the stereo-isomers (as they are called) rotates the plane of polarization one way, the other one will mirror this, and rotate it the other way.

Related questions
See all questions in Chiral and Achiral Molecules
Impact of this question
9434 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License