MUTAROTATION Meaning and
Definition
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Mutarotation is a term used in chemistry to describe the phenomenon whereby an equimolar mixture of anomers (also known as stereoisomers) of a cyclic sugar, such as glucose or fructose, interconverts between its α- and β-forms in an aqueous solution. This process occurs due to the reversible interconversion of the straight-chain form of the sugar with its cyclic hemiacetal or hemiketal forms.
In a solution, the α- and β-anomers are present in an equilibrium mixture, with a slight excess of the thermodynamically more stable form. However, over time, the anomers slowly convert from one form to another, resulting in an overall dynamic equilibrium between the two forms. This interconversion process is known as mutarotation.
Mutarotation can be visualized through polarimetry, a technique that measures the rotation of plane-polarized light caused by the dissolved compound. Initially, a pure form of glucose or fructose may show specific rotation values, indicating the predominance of either the α- or β-anomer. However, when placed in an aqueous solution, the observed optical rotation gradually changes over time due to mutarotation, leading to an eventual equilibrium mixture with a specific rotation value intermediate between the two initial values.
This process of mutarotation is crucial in understanding the behavior and properties of sugars in solution, as it influences their reactivity, biological activity, and physical characteristics.
Common Misspellings for MUTAROTATION
- nutarotation
- kutarotation
- jutarotation
- mytarotation
- mhtarotation
- mjtarotation
- mitarotation
- m8tarotation
- m7tarotation
- murarotation
- mufarotation
- mugarotation
- muyarotation
- mu6arotation
- mu5arotation
- mutzrotation
- mutsrotation
- mutwrotation
- mutqrotation
- mutaeotation
Etymology of MUTAROTATION
The word "mutarotation" is derived from two components: "muta" and "rotation".
The term "muta" is derived from the Latin word "mutare", which means "to change" or "to alter". In scientific terminology, "muta" is often used to indicate a change or alteration in a substance or a process.
The term "rotation" comes from the Latin word "rotare", which means "to turn" or "to revolve".
When these two components are combined, "muta" (change) and "rotation" (turning or revolving), the word "mutarotation" is formed. It refers to the ability of certain substances, particularly sugars, to change their optical rotation when dissolved in water or in a mixture of solvents. This change in optical rotation occurs due to the interconversion between two different forms (alpha and beta) of the same sugar molecule.
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