Home

Citation: Qilin Liu, Yi Wu, Yi Luo, Yuan Liu, Kaiqun Wu. Mystery in the Palm of Your Hand: Chiral Identification Using Optical Rotation Measurements and Specificity for Chiral Pollution Detection[J]. University Chemistry, ;2023, 38(4): 88-97. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202211050 shu

Mystery in the Palm of Your Hand: Chiral Identification Using Optical Rotation Measurements and Specificity for Chiral Pollution Detection

Qilin Liu ¹ ,
Yi Wu ¹ ,
Yi Luo ¹ ,
Yuan Liu ² ,
Kaiqun Wu ¹

1.
College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
2.
Experiment Teaching Center of Basic Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610207, China

Received Date: 15 November 2022

Even though chiral compounds are ubiquitous, the general public is rarely aware of them. In this study, we perform three basic experiments using a kaleidoscope, simple optometer, and chiral indicator. Kaleidoscopes can be used to easily distinguish chiral compounds from non-chiral ones. Simple optometers can be used to directly distinguish levorotary from dextrorotary substances and determine the rotation degree of chiral substances. Chiral indicators can be used to distinguish enantiomers via color changes, which are visible to the naked eye. Because chiral indicators do not require instrumentation, they are suitable for identifying chiral substances in research settings. The experiments are thorough and easy to perform, and the observed phenomena are vivid and thought-provoking. Therefore, we believe that the experiments herein can be used by the general public to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of chiral compounds. Moreover, the experiments emphasize the practical applications of science concepts, demonstrating the attractiveness of chirality and chemistry.
- Kaleidoscope,
- Simple optometer,
- Chiral identification,
- Teaching experiment,
- Multilevel science popularization
1. [1]
  Fujimoto, T.; Mitsuhashi, S. Chemotherapy (Basel, Switz.) 1990, 36, 268.
2. [2]
3. [3]
  EP (7.0); EDQM:Strasbourg, France, 2010.
4. [4]
  Kvittingen, L; Sjursnes, B. J. Chem. Educ. 2020, 97, 2196.
5. [5]
6. [6]
1. [1]
  Borong Yu , Huijiao Zhang , Xinyu Zhang , Xiaoying Li , Shuming Chen , Zhangang Han . The Blue Elf in the Dark: Gradient Science Popularization Experiments on Chemiluminescence. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 295-303. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202403107
2. [2]
  YanYuan Jia , Rong Rong , Jie Liu , Jing Guo , GuoYu Jiang , Shuo Guo . Unity is Strength, and Independence Shines: A Science Popularization Experiment on AIE and ACQ Effects. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 349-358. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202402035
3. [3]
  Yuanyi Lu , Jun Zhao , Hongshuang Li . Silver-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Minisci Reaction: Developing a Teaching Experiment Suitable for Undergraduates. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(11): 225-231. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202401088
4. [4]
  Dong-Bing Cheng , Junxin Duan , Haiyu Gao . Experimental Teaching Design on Chitosan Extraction and Preparation of Antibacterial Gel. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(2): 330-339. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202308053
5. [5]
  Zian Lin , Yingxue Jin . Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) for Disease Marker Screening and Identification: A Comprehensive Experiment Teaching Reform in Instrumental Analysis. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(11): 327-334. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202403066
6. [6]
  Ruoxi Sun , Yiqian Xu , Shaoru Rong , Chunmiao Han , Hui Xu . The Enchanting Collision of Light and Time Magic: Exploring the Footprints of Long Afterglow Lifetime. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(5): 90-97. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202310001
7. [7]
  Xiaxue Chen , Yuxuan Yang , Ruolin Yang , Yizhu Wang , Hongyun Liu . Adjustable Polychromatic Fluorescence: Investigating the Photoluminescent Properties of Copper Nanoclusters. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 328-337. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202308019
8. [8]
  Ming Li , Zhaoyin Li , Mengzhu Liu , Shaoxiang Luo . Unveiling the Artistry of Mordant Dyeing: The Coordination Chemistry Beneath. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(5): 258-265. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311085
9. [9]
  Lin Ding , Jinpeng Zhang , Junfeng Li , Daying Liu . Color Catcher: A Marvelous Encounter of Starch and Iodine. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(6): 334-341. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311064
10. [10]
  Dongheng WANG , Si LI , Shuangquan ZANG . Construction of chiral alkynyl silver chains and modulation of chiral optical properties. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(1): 131-140. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240379
11. [11]
  Tingyu Zhu , Hui Zhang , Wenwei Zhang . Exploration and Practice of Ideological and Political Education in the Course of Experiments on Chemical Functional Molecules: Synthesis and Catalytic Performance Study of Chiral Mn(III)Cl-Salen Complex. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 75-80. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311011
12. [12]
  Yan Li , Xinze Wang , Xue Yao , Shouyun Yu . 基于激发态手性铜催化的烯烃E→Z异构的动力学拆分——推荐一个本科生综合化学实验. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(5): 1-10. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309053
13. [13]
  Jin Tong , Shuyan Yu . Crystal Engineering for Supramolecular Chirality. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(3): 86-93. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202308113
14. [14]
  Yuhang Jiang , Weijie Liu , Jiaqi Cai , Jiayue Chen , Yanping Ren , Pingping Wu , Liulin Yang . A Journey into the Science and Art of Sugar: “Dispersion of Light and Optical Rotation of Matter” Science Popularization Experiment. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 288-294. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202401054
15. [15]
  Renxiao Liang , Zhe Zhong , Zhangling Jin , Lijuan Shi , Yixia Jia . A Palladium/Chiral Phosphoric Acid Relay Catalysis for the One-Pot Three-Step Synthesis of Chiral Tetrahydroquinoline. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(5): 209-217. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311024
16. [16]
  Haiying Wang , Andrew C.-H. Sue . How to Visually Identify Homochiral Crystals. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(3): 78-85. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309004
17. [17]
  Keying Qu , Jie Li , Ziqiu Lai , Kai Chen . Unveiling the Mystery of Chirality from Tartaric Acid. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 369-378. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202310091
18. [18]
  Haiyang Jin , Yonghai Hui , Yongfei Zhang , Lijun Gao , Yun Wang . Application and Exploration of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer in Undergraduate Basic Laboratory Teaching. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(3): 245-250. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202406022
19. [19]
  Xilin Zhao , Xingyu Tu , Zongxuan Li , Rui Dong , Bo Jiang , Zhiwei Miao . Research Progress in Enantioselective Synthesis of Axial Chiral Compounds. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(11): 158-173. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202403106
20. [20]
  Ke QIAO , Yanlin LI , Shengli HUANG , Guoyu YANG . Advancements in asymmetric catalysis employing chiral iridium (ruthenium) complexes. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(11): 2091-2104. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240265

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(11)
Abstract views(725)
HTML views(105)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

Address：Zhongguancun North First Street 2,100190 Beijing, PR China Tel: +86-010-82449177-888

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Return