Levorotatory is a word used in chemistry to describe compounds that rotate polarized light to the left. The correct spelling of the word is L-E-V-O-R-O-T-A-T-O-R-Y, with the emphasis on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /lɛvərəˈteɪtəri/. The first part "levo" comes from the Latin "laevus", meaning "left". The word "rotatory" means "rotating". Therefore, "levorotatory" simply means "left-rotating". It is crucial to spell this word correctly in chemistry to avoid confusion and ensure accurate communication in the field.
Levorotatory, also known as levorotatory or levo-, is a term used in chemistry to describe the optical rotation of a substance in a counterclockwise direction when exposed to polarized light. It is denoted by the symbol (-) or the prefix "L" and is derived from the Latin term "levus" which means "left".
Optical rotation is the phenomenon where a substance rotates the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light as it passes through. Levorotatory substances rotate the plane of polarization to the left, opposite to the clockwise rotation found in dextrorotatory substances.
The direction of optical rotation depends on the chirality of a substance, which refers to its three-dimensional arrangement of atoms or groups. Levorotatory substances usually have a left-handed chirality and are also called levorotary, enantiomeric (if they have a mirror-image isomer), or simply left-handed.
The absolute configuration of a levorotatory substance can be determined using various methods, such as X-ray crystallography or spectroscopic techniques. Levorotatory substances are commonly found in nature, particularly in the structure of amino acids, sugars, and certain drugs.
As a term in chemistry, levorotatory describes the rotation of polarized light in a counterclockwise direction and signifies the left-handed chirality of a substance.
The word "levorotatory" comes from the combination of two Latin words: "levus" meaning "left" and "rota" meaning "wheel". It is derived from the Latin phrase "levus rotae" which refers to the left-turning motion or rotation. This is due to the fact that levorotatory substances rotate the plane of polarized light to the left, causing it to deviate in that direction. "Levorotatory" is often used in chemistry and refers to the optical property of certain substances that rotate plane-polarized light counterclockwise or to the left. The term was coined in the mid-19th century.