Dextrorotatory isomer
Dextrorotatory isomer is a term used in chemistry to describe a type of isomer that rotates plane-polarized light to the right, or clockwise. This property is also known as dextrorotation and is denoted by the prefix (+) or d- before the name of the compound.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Dextrorotatory isomers are one of two possible spatial configurations, or enantiomers, that can occur in molecules that are chiral. Chiral molecules are those that cannot be superimposed on their mirror image. The other type of enantiomer is the levorotatory isomer, which rotates plane-polarized light to the left, or counterclockwise.
The direction in which a compound rotates plane-polarized light is determined by its stereochemistry, specifically the arrangement of its atoms in space. This property is important in many areas of chemistry and biochemistry, as the two enantiomers of a chiral molecule can have different chemical and biological properties.
Determination of Dextrorotation[edit | edit source]
The property of dextrorotation is determined using a polarimeter, an instrument that measures the angle by which a substance rotates the plane of polarization of light. The observed rotation is dependent on the path length of the light through the substance and the concentration of the substance, and is given by the formula:
- α = [α]l.c
where α is the observed rotation, [α] is the specific rotation (a property of the substance), l is the path length, and c is the concentration.
Biological Significance[edit | edit source]
Many biologically active molecules are chiral, including amino acids and sugars. In nature, these molecules usually exist in only one of the two possible enantiomeric forms. For example, most amino acids are levorotatory, while most sugars are dextrorotatory. The different enantiomers can have different biological activities. For example, the dextrorotatory form of the drug thalidomide is effective against morning sickness, while the levorotary form is teratogenic, causing serious birth defects.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
