optical isomer

9.7

One of two chemicals that are mirror images like left and right hands and turn polarized light opposite ways

noun
/ˈɑptɪkəl ˈaɪsəmər/

Specialized

: isómero óptico

In their experiment, they analyzed the differing effects of optical isomers on the same chemical reaction.

Examples

So here we look at optical isomers or enantiomers and introduce the idea of a mirror plane here.
The scientists demonstrated how optical isomers rotate plane-polarized light in opposite directions.
Understanding optical isomers is crucial for determining their application in pharmaceuticals.

Synonyms

enantiomer

vsoptical isomer

Specialized

1 9.9

One of two chemicals that are mirror images of each other but not identical

emphasizes their differing rotation of plane-polarized light

enantiomorph

vsoptical isomer

Specialized

9.9

One of two objects that are mirror images but cannot be placed on top of each other such as molecules

highlights rotation of plane-polarized light in molecules rather than general shapes

Surface Forms

optical isomer singular

optical isomers plural

Morphology

optical + isomer

The phrase clearly combines 'optical' (related to light) with 'isomer' (a compound with same formula but different structure), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes an isomer with some light-related property. However, the precise technical sense (mirror-image stereoisomers, chirality and rotation of plane-polarized light) requires domain-specific chemistry knowledge and is not fully predictable from everyday meanings, making the transparency partial.

Etymology

Optical isomer comes from a clear image: two molecules are like left and right hands—'mirror images' that cannot be placed on top of each other. Each isomer has the same parts but a different shape, and because the two shapes 'turn' light in opposite ways the word optical refers to that light effect, which helps explain why the forms can act very differently in the body.