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When I learnt about optical activity in school, my teacher told me that there is no way to theoritically predict whether a compound is dextrorotatory or leuvorotatory. How is that possible?

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    $\begingroup$ Hope you make it to OCSC! $\endgroup$
    – William R. Ebenezer
    Commented May 15, 2020 at 9:12
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    $\begingroup$ You can estimate via computational chemistry. $\endgroup$
    – Zhe
    Commented May 15, 2020 at 12:27
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    $\begingroup$ In terms of why it's hard, consider the amino acids for the biologically prevalent enantiomer. If I told you the specific rotation for one of them, can you tell me the sign of the specific rotation of any other? $\endgroup$
    – Zhe
    Commented May 15, 2020 at 12:32
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    $\begingroup$ @Zenix, Nah, I couldn't make it. Didn't score enough. And yes, I believe the term is used worldwide. $\endgroup$
    – William R. Ebenezer
    Commented May 15, 2020 at 15:16
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    $\begingroup$ A more accurate statement might be "not by simple inspection". And there might be a significant margin of error even in the best theory. $\endgroup$
    – Buck Thorn ♦
    Commented May 17, 2020 at 8:59

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