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CAIE A-Level Chemistry 29.4.1 Properties of Enantiomers

Practise recognising enantiomers and stating precisely which physical, chemical and biological properties can differ.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Chemistry 9701
Level
A2

Exam points

  • define enantiomers as stereoisomers whose molecules are non-superimposable mirror images
  • state that their ordinary physical and chemical properties are identical in an achiral environment
  • identify plane-polarised-light rotation and potential biological activity as the specified differences

29.4.1—Enantiomers have identical physical/chemical question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The amino acid serine, HOCH2CH(NH2)COOH\mathrm{HOCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}\left(\mathrm{NH}_{2}\right) \mathrm{COOH}, exists in two optically active forms. These optical isomers, isomer P and isomer Q, are shown in Fig. 8.1.

Fig. 8.1

Fig. 8.1

Isomer P and isomer Q have identical physical and chemical properties, with the exception of two specific properties. One of these two properties is their differing effect on plane polarised light.

State the other property by which they differ.

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