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WalesChemistryQuick questions
Unit 4: Organic Chemistry and Analysis
Quick questions on Stereoisomerism - WJEC A-Level Chemistry
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are racemic mixtures?Show answer
A racemic mixture contains equal amounts of both enantiomers, so the opposite rotations cancel and there is no net optical activity. Many laboratory syntheses give racemic mixtures because the reagent can attack a planar intermediate from either face with equal probability.
What is thalidomide?Show answer
One enantiomer of thalidomide was a useful sedative while the other caused birth defects, a tragic illustration of why drug stereochemistry must be controlled. Single-enantiomer drugs. Modern pharmaceuticals are often made or separated as a single enantiomer because only one form fits the chiral receptor, improving safety and effectiveness.
What is q1?Show answer
Define a chiral centre. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
State how the two enantiomers of a chiral compound affect plane-polarised light. [1 mark]
What is q3?Show answer
State why a racemic mixture shows no overall optical rotation. [1 mark]
What is q4?Show answer
Explain why the addition of to ethanal gives a racemic product. [2 marks]
What is q5?Show answer
State the requirement for a molecule to show E/Z isomerism. [1 mark]
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