Polarized Light and Organic Molecules

CCA! Volume 5

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Polarized Light and Organic Molecules - Carvone Isomers

Samples of chiral d- and l-carvone are shown to rotate the plane of polarized light in opposite directions.


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File: MOVIES/TRAM09/0243714.MOV

Voiceover
Enantiomers rotate plane polarized light in opposite directions. Samples of plus and minus carvone show opposite rotations of polarized light. Plus carvone is the odor principle of caraway and minus carvone is the odor principle of spearmint.

Discussion
Polarized light can determine whether a compound is chiral. Samples of chiral d- and l-carvone are shown to rotate the plane of polarized light in opposite directions. R (-) Carvone is the odor principle of spearmint and its enantiomer, S (+) carvone is the odor principle of caraway.

Design, Text and Demonstrator:
	Gary Trammell	University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL 62794

Videographer/Editor:
	Steve Dykema	University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL 62794

Voice:
	Margaret Biddle	University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706

Audio Production:
	Greg Minix	University of Wisconsin - Madison, College of Engineering, Madison, WI 53706
	Jerrold J. Jacobsen	University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706