levorotatory

Thân thiện

A scientist observes a levorotatory crystal under polarized light.

Definition

1. 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)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. rotating to the left

Từ đồng nghĩa

• levorotary
• left-handed