CAIE A-Level Chemistry A2 29.4.1 Enantiomers Have Identical Physical Chemical Questions

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

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

[Maximum number: 1]

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

Fig. 8.1

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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CAIE A-Level Chemistry A2 29.4.1 Enantiomers Have Identical Physical Chemical Questions question 1