Question

How to determine dextrorotatory and levorotatory of carbohydrates?

Answer 1

Dextrorotation and levorotation also spelled as laevorotation are terms used to describe the rotation of plane-polarized light. From the point of view of the observer, dextrorotation refers to clockwise rotation while levorotation refers to counterclockwise rotation. A compound that causes dextrorotation is called dextrorotatory or dextrorotary, while a compound that causes levorotation is called levorotatory or levorotary. Compounds with these properties are said to have optical activity and consist of chiral molecules. If a chiral molecule is dextrorotary, its enantiomer (geometric mirror image) will be levorotary, and vice versa. The enantiomers will rotate plane polarized light the same number of degrees, but in opposite directions.