Optical Activity of Racemic Mixtures With Limonene
In the first photo, a gloved hand holds a glass cylinder of clear liquid above a second cylinder with liquid on a projector deck. No light is seen on the screen. In the second photo, the hand moves the container away from the container with liquid, and a blue image of the container with liquid is seen.
Description: A sample of S-(+)- limonene is placed in a large cuvette glass made for this experiment and placed between two polarizers on an overhead projector. the optical activity is noted by the prismatic effect that occurs while changing the relative position of the two polarizers filter lines.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry, Bowman, Matt Dr.
personal consult (2018)
Year: 1989 Vol. 3 Page386 – 398
Keywords: Limonene, Polarized light. Optical activity, Racemic mixture, Isomer, Enantiomer
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Flammable liquids
- Skin sensitization hazard
- Aspiration hazard
- Short-term (acute) aquatic hazard
- Long-term (chronic) aquatic hazard
- Skin irritation hazard
- Electric shock hazard
- Breakage hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Primary effects
- Results are observable with guidance
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Time to results is medium
- High reliability
Difficulty: Medium
- Some careful manipulation required
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Use of toxic reagents
- Use of electrical equipment
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- PPE required
- Avoid inhalation of mists, droplets, or vapors
- Use of UL approved three prong plug and outlet
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
- Absorbent materials on hand
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Prior training recommended
- Observation distance one meter minimum
Class: Physical Properties of Organic Compounds
Division: Organic Chemistry
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