Polarimetry

Contents
• Definition
• Polarimetry Principle
• Instrumentation
• Application
Polarimetry

Definition

• The term polarimetry may be referred to as the study of the rotation

of polarised light by the transparent optically active substances.

• This is a type of qualitative and quantitative analytical technique since

both the identification and the estimation of the compound can be
done.
Polarimetry Principle
• Some compounds are optically active, i.e. they rotate the plane of
optically polarised light.

• Chemically, these compounds contain a center of chirality – in

biochemically important molecules a carbon atom that is bound to
four different substituents (it means that the compound is not
symmetric).
Polarimetry Principle (cont).
• Polarimetry is a sensitive, non-destructive technique for measuring the optical
activity exhibited by inorganic and organic compounds

• A compound is considered to be optically active if linearly polarized light is rotated

when passing through it.

• The amount of optical rotation is determined by the molecular structure and

concentration of chiral molecules in the substance.

• Each optically active substance has its own specific rotation as defined in Biot’s
law:
Polarimetry Principle (cont).
• It is difficult to explain why asymmetric molecules rotate the plane of
polarised light without deeper physical commentary.

• Here, we will only state that plane-polarised light results from

interaction of two circular-polarised radiations that differ in direction of
circulation

• Field of force of an asymmetric molecule is also asymmetric and thus

interacts with every of the two circular-polarised lights in a different
way.
PLANE POLARISED LIGHT
• According to wave theory of light, an ordinary ray
light is considered to be vibrating in all planes at right
angle to the direction of propagation. If this ordinary
ray of light is passed through a Nicol prism, the
emergent ray has its vibration only in one plane. This
light having wave motion in only one plane is known
as Plane Polarised Light.

• NICOL Prism – Iceland Spar

Calcite ( CaCO3 form )
(or) Polaroid
Polarimetry Principle (cont).
Polarisation of Light waves
Biot’s law
• Each optically active substance has its own specific rotation as defined
in Biot’s law:
Biot’s Law
Polarimetry Pinciple (cont).

•Biot’s law
OPTICAL ACTIVITY
• Has been found that magnitude of rotation
depend upon the following factors:
1. Nature of Substance
2. Length of liquid column ( l ) through which light
passes.
3. Concentration of the solution.
4. Nature of the solvent.
5. Temperature of the solution (t)
6.Wavelength of the light used
Polarimeter
• Optical activity can be measured with a polarimeter.

• Monochromic light (e.g. from a sodium lamp) passes through a

polarising filter (polariser) and then through a cuvette filled with the
measured solution. Optical activity of the sample is evaluated using
another polarising filter (analyser) fixed in a revolving holder

• Intensity of light in the eyepiece of the instrument depends on the

position of analyser and the plane of polarised light
Jasco-p-2000-digital-
polarimeter
APPLICATIONS

Quantitative application
If the specific rotation of sample is known its concentration in the solution can be estimated.

Qualitative application.
Optical activity is the only parameter available for distinguishing between D and L isomeric forms
.
Saccharimetry
important practical application of polarimetry
determination of high conc. of sugars
visual saccharimeters called POLAROSCOPES