Chiroptical methods

Chiroptical methods are techniques used to study molecules that have a special kind of symmetry called chirality, meaning they cannot be superimposed on their mirror image. These methods analyze how chiral molecules interact with polarized light—light waves oscillating in a specific direction. When chiral molecules are exposed to polarized light, they can rotate the light’s plane or differently absorb left- and right-handed polarized light. By measuring these interactions, scientists can determine the molecules’ structure, concentration, and purity, which is especially useful in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and material science.