Question

What is optical isomerism in tartaric acid?

Answer 1

Optical Activity of Tartaric Acid Stereoisomers. (R,R)-tartaric acid is the naturally occurring form. ... Thus the chirality of the two asymmetric carbon atoms cancels and this molecule is not optically active

Answer 2

Explanation:

• Optical isomerism is arising in the organic molecules which contains a ‘carbon atom’ attached to a four different ‘atoms or groups’.

• A carbon with four different groups or atoms attached is called a chiral centre.

• If a molecule has a chiral centre in their structure then it forms two mirror images. They are non- super impossible “mirror images” of one other. They are called optical isomers.  

• Optical isomers are useful in the rotating of “plane polarised light” in opposite directions. One rotates clock wise direction called L- form and another one rotates anti clock wise direction called D- form.

The optical isomer of tartaric acid is as follows and attached below: