Polarimetry, circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion principles - One Line Questions

1. If the solution in the previous question were a racemic mixture, what would be the observed rotation? 0 degrees
2. A solution of a pure enantiomer is found to have an observed rotation of +15 degrees in a polarimeter tube of 1 dm length, using a sodium lamp at 25°C. If the concentration is 1 g/mL, what is its specific rotation? +15 degrees mL / (g dm)
3. The specific rotation of a compound is usually measured under standard conditions. What is a typical standard temperature and wavelength used? 25°C and 589 nm (Sodium D line)
4. In CD spectroscopy, the signal is generated by transitions within chiral chromophores. Which of these is NOT typically considered a chiral chromophore in this context? A simple alkene without any chiral influence
5. CD spectroscopy can be used to monitor conformational changes in biomolecules. A change in the CD spectrum often signifies: A change in the three-dimensional structure
6. A chiral molecule lacking a chiral center but exhibiting optical activity is known as: An allene or atropisomer
7. A sample exhibits strong positive CD signals in the far-UV region (around 190-250 nm). This is often characteristic of: An alpha-helix structure in a protein
8. What does a positive Cotton effect in CD spectroscopy typically indicate? A specific absolute configuration of a chromophore
9. Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy measures the difference in absorption of left-handed circularly polarized light and right-handed circularly polarized light. This difference is represented as: Molar ellipticity (Δε)
10. In CD spectroscopy, what type of molecular structure is primarily responsible for generating a CD signal? Chiral centers or chiral environments
11. Which technique is most sensitive for determining the absolute configuration of a chiral molecule with a suitable chromophore? Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy
12. What is the primary advantage of using CD spectroscopy over polarimetry for analyzing complex biological molecules like proteins? CD provides information about secondary structure (alpha-helix, beta-sheet) which polarimetry does not
13. Optical Rotatory Dispersion (ORD) is a plot of specific rotation versus: Wavelength
14. The specific rotation ([α]) of a chiral compound is dependent on which of the following factors? Concentration of the solution, wavelength of light, and temperature
15. What is the unit of specific rotation in polarimetry? Degrees mL / (g dm)
16. What is the primary application of ORD in organic chemistry? Determining the absolute configuration of chiral molecules, especially those with carbonyl groups
17. What is the term for a mixture containing equal amounts of two enantiomers? Racemic mixture
18. ORD spectra typically show a characteristic pattern near absorption bands of chiral chromophores. This pattern is called a: Cotton effect
19. The 'plain curve' in ORD refers to the dispersion observed: In the absence of any absorption bands
20. Which type of light source is typically used in a polarimeter for accurate measurements? Monochromatic light source (e.g., sodium lamp)
21. Which of the following is a key advantage of CD spectroscopy for studying biomolecules? It provides information about the secondary and tertiary structure of proteins.
22. Which of the following is a limitation of using polarimetry for quantitative analysis? It is sensitive to impurities that are also optically active
23. A solution shows no optical activity. What can be concluded about the sample? It is a racemic mixture or an achiral compound
24. How does the presence of a chiral chromophore affect CD spectra? It causes differential absorption of left and right circularly polarized light
25. Which of the following statements about Circular Dichroism (CD) is true? It requires the presence of a chromophore within the chiral molecule.
26. Which of the following statements about polarimetry is INCORRECT? It can distinguish between enantiomers and diastereomers.
27. Optical Rotatory Dispersion (ORD) relates the optical rotation of a chiral compound to: The wavelength of the incident light
28. A polarimeter measures the angle of rotation (α) over a path length (l) and concentration (c). The observed rotation is directly proportional to: l and c
29. A compound that rotates the plane of polarized light to the right (clockwise) is designated as: Dextrorotatory (d- or +)
30. Optical Rotatory Dispersion (ORD) is a more detailed analysis than simple polarimetry because it: Analyzes the rotation at multiple wavelengths
31. The Jasco J-715 is a common instrument used for which spectroscopic technique? Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectroscopy
32. What is the term for the phenomenon where a chiral molecule absorbs left and right circularly polarized light to different extents? Circular Dichroism
33. The molar absorptivity difference (Δε) in CD spectroscopy is directly proportional to the differential absorption (ΔA) and inversely proportional to: Path length (l) and concentration (c)
34. How does CD spectroscopy differ fundamentally from polarimetry? Polarimetry measures rotation of plane-polarized light, CD measures differential absorption of circularly polarized light
35. A chiral molecule that has a plane of symmetry and is therefore optically inactive is called a: Meso compound
36. CD spectroscopy is particularly useful for studying the conformation of which type of biomolecules? Proteins and nucleic acids
37. What is the primary principle behind Optical Rotatory Dispersion (ORD)? The rotation of plane-polarized light by a chiral substance
38. In the context of polarimetry, the 'dark field' is observed when: The analyzer is set at 90 degrees to the polariser
39. What does the term 'ellipticity' refer to in CD spectroscopy? The degree to which circularly polarized light is converted into elliptically polarized light
40. What is the primary phenomenon measured by a polarimeter? The rotation of the plane of polarized light by a chiral substance
41. What is the 'anomalous dispersion' observed in ORD? The dispersion pattern near absorption bands of chiral chromophores
42. The 'zero crossing' in an ORD spectrum near an absorption band is often indicative of: The absolute configuration of the chiral center
43. The phenomenon of optical isomerism is a consequence of: Molecular chirality and the absence of a plane of symmetry
44. ORD and CD are related techniques. What is the relationship described by the Kramers-Kronig relations? The real part of the optical activity (ORD) can be derived from the imaginary part (CD), and vice versa
45. The observation that (+) lactic acid is dextrorotatory and (-) lactic acid is levorotatory indicates that: They are enantiomers
46. What is the function of the polariser in a polarimeter? To convert ordinary light into plane-polarized light
47. What is the role of the analyzer in a polarimeter? To determine the angle of rotation of polarized light
48. Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting the observed optical rotation? Pressure of the surrounding atmosphere
49. In CD spectroscopy, the molar ellipticity (θ) is calculated using the Beer-Lambert law principle, but it accounts for the differential absorption. What is its relationship with the differential absorbance (ΔA)? θ is directly proportional to ΔA