levorotatory
Definition
- Adjective:
- Rotating to the left: In chemistry and physics, "levorotatory" describes a substance (especially an optically active compound) that rotates the plane of polarized light to the left (counterclockwise) when viewed towards the light source.
Usage
- The term is used almost exclusively in scientific contexts, particularly in chemistry, optics, and pharmacology, to describe the optical activity of chiral molecules.
- It is often abbreviated as l- or (-) in chemical nomenclature (e.g., l-glucose, (-)-nicotine).
- It is the opposite of dextrorotatory.
Examples
- Adjective:
- Lactic acid found in sour milk is levorotatory.
- The levorotatory form of the drug was found to be therapeutically active, while the dextrorotatory form was inert.
Advanced Usage
- "Levorotatory isomer": A specific stereoisomer of a compound that rotates plane-polarized light to the left.
- Only the levorotatory isomer of the molecule binds effectively to the receptor.
Variants and Related Words
- Levorotation (n): The property or act of rotating light to the left.
- The compound's levorotation was measured with a polarimeter.
- Levo- (prefix): A prefix meaning "to the left," used in various scientific terms (e.g., levocardia).
Synonyms
- l-: (Abbreviation, used in chemistry)
- (-)-: (Symbol, used in chemistry)
- Left-rotating: (Descriptive synonym, less technical)
Antonyms
- Dextrorotatory: Rotating to the right.
- d-: (Abbreviation for dextrorotatory)
- (+)-: (Symbol for dextrorotatory)
Adjective
-
rotating to the left
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