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Learning objective

Draw or recognise pairs of optical isomers.

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Topic

Optical isomerism (A-level only)

Subtopic

Optical isomerism (A-level only)

Aqa A Level ChemistryOrganic chemistry

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Quick explanation

Draw or recognise pairs of optical isomers

  • This point belongs to Optical isomerism (A-level only), especially Optical isomerism (A-level only).
  • You need to be able to draw or recognise pairs of optical isomers.
  • The key ideas to know are optical isomer.
  • Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.

Key concepts

optical isomer

Why it matters

This objective helps connect Optical isomerism (A-level only) to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Optical isomerism (A-level only).

Quick student answer

Which of the following pairs of compounds are optical isomers?

Direct answer

B) (R)-lactic acid and (S)-lactic acid

Key terms

  • Enantiomer: One of a pair of molecules that are mirror images of each other and cannot be superimposed.
  • Chirality: The property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image.

Common trap

Confusing optical isomers with structural isomers: Remember that optical isomers are specifically non-superimposable mirror images, while structural isomers differ in the connectivity of atoms.

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