Optically Active Compounds

Optically active compounds are molecules that can rotate the plane of polarized light as it passes through them. This property arises from their molecular asymmetry—they lack a mirror-image symmetry like left and right hands. These compounds have non-superimposable mirror images called enantiomers, with each rotating light in opposite directions. This characteristic is crucial in chemistry and pharmacology because enantiomers can have different biological effects. Optically activity is a key tool for identifying and studying chiral (asymmetrical) molecules, helping scientists understand their structure and behavior.