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