CH1012
                                         L1 /   
‹#›
                                         L1 /   
4
OPTICAL ISOMERS
optical isomers = enantiomers
They must contain a chiral centre a carbon which has 4 different groups attached to it.
Chiral molecule = a molecule which exists in
2 forms, non-superimposable mirror images.
S                              R
1                                       1

2            3         3                  2
(i) enantiomers are labelled either R or S
(ii) arrange highest (1)  ®  lowest (3) priority
view down C with lowest priority bond opposite
(iii) clockwise = R; anticlockwise = S