Definition of Optical Rotation
- Optical Rotations refers to the rotations of the plane of polarization of polarized light as it passes through an optically active substance. It is quantified as
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$\alpha = [\alpha] \cdot l \cdot c$
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- where:
- α is the observed rotation (degrees).
- [α] is the specific rotation (degrees·dm⁻¹·g⁻¹·mL).
- l is the path length of the sample (dm).
- ccc is the concentration (g/mL).
Determination
- Polarimeter: The primary instrument used to measure optical rotation. A sample is placed in a polarimeter tube, and the angle of rotation is measured as polarized light passes through it.
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Applications:
- Pharmaceuticals: Determining the concentration and purity of chiral drugs.
- Food Industry: Measuring the sugar content in solutions.
- Chemical Analysis: Identifying and characterizing chiral compounds.
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