Re: L, N designations

From: Dr.Bob (drbob1999_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 07/07/04 

Date: 7 Jul 2004 10:38:55 -0700

"Maximus" <frazzle@swampy.com> wrote in message news:<ccgk8u$nua$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> Are L, N designations in front of chemical compds. analogous to (+)(-)
> optically active isomers in the manner of which the compds. rotate the
> plane of polarised light, or do they relate to the position of the
> functional groups appended to such compds.
>
> --

L refers to levorotary, so yes it is a designation for stereochemical
assignment.

N likely refers to having some functional group on a nitrogen in the
molecule, so a regiochemical assignment.

n is often used to refer to a straight chain of carbon atoms. eg,
n-butyl as opposed to t-butyl 'normal' butyl vs. tertiary butyl.

Without knowing the compound you're referring to, I would not be
willing to wager donut that I am correct.

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