Introduction:
Oximes are organic compounds that contain the functional group -C=N-OH. They are derived from aldehydes or ketones by the addition of hydroxylamine. Optical activity refers to the ability of a compound to rotate the plane of polarized light. In the case of oximes, their optical activity depends on the presence of chiral centers.

Chiral Centers in Oximes:
A chiral center is an atom that is bonded to four different substituents, resulting in non-superimposable mirror images. Oximes can have chiral centers if the parent aldehyde or ketone possesses one or more chiral centers. For example, if an aldehyde or ketone with a chiral center reacts with hydroxylamine, the resulting oxime will also have a chiral center.

Optical Activity of Chiral Oximes:
Chiral oximes can exhibit optical activity due to the presence of chiral centers. The rotation of plane-polarized light can be either clockwise (dextrorotatory, designated as "+") or counterclockwise (levorotatory, designated as "-"). The direction and magnitude of optical rotation depend on the configuration of the chiral center(s) in the oxime.

Meso Oximes:
In some cases, oximes may contain multiple chiral centers but exhibit no optical activity. This occurs when the molecule possesses a plane of symmetry, resulting in a meso compound. Meso compounds are achiral despite having chiral centers. Therefore, they do not exhibit optical activity.

Factors Affecting Optical Activity:
The extent of optical activity in chiral oximes is influenced by several factors, including:
1. Configuration of the chiral centers: The arrangement of substituents around the chiral centers determines the direction and magnitude of optical rotation.
2. Concentration: The concentration of the chiral oxime can affect the observed optical rotation. Higher concentrations may lead to greater rotation.
3. Wavelength of light: The wavelength of light used to measure optical rotation can also influence the observed values.

Conclusion:
Oximes can exhibit optical activity if they possess chiral centers. The presence of chiral centers leads to non-superimposable mirror images, resulting in the rotation of plane-polarized light. However, if an oxime possesses a plane of symmetry, it becomes a meso compound and does not show optical activity. The configuration of chiral centers, concentration, and wavelength of light are factors that can affect the observed optical rotation of chiral oximes.

No ,,,it does not show optical activity