Isotopes and Molecular Asymmetry

Abstract

QUITE recently¹, attempts have been made to resolve into their optically active components, molecules of the type C.H.D.R₁.R₂, with very slight success, if any at all. In 1922², I suggested that if this type of asymmetry associated with isotopes was responsible for very slight rotation or none at all, a molecule of the type C. x.y. R₁. R₂. should be investigated, x and y being atoms or groups of similar electronic configuration. In view of the resemblance (which some physicists consider is a real one) between the electronic configuration of the methyl radical and the fluorine atom, the molecule of -fluor-propionic acid might be a fit subject for investigation. This substance may have no optical activity, if the recent results are correct. I am not aware that asymmetric molecules containing CH₃ and F as dissimilar groups have ever been subjected to optical resolution.