In organic chemistry, what does it mean when the molecules are labeled as (+) or (-), such as in (+

[m25]

In organic chemistry, what does it mean when the molecules are labeled as (+) or (-), such as in (+)-carvone and (-)-carvone?

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[stitchattack]

optical rotation?

 

[Gandyy]

Thats just the way enantiomers (mirror images) rotate plane polarized light. + means the molecule rotates to the right and - means they rotate it to the left. Nothing more.

Keep in mind sn1 mixtures make racemic mixtures so they do not rotate light.

 

[SN2ed]

Thread closed. These types of questions belong in the MCAT Study Q&A forum only.