optical isomerism exam q’s

Question 1

describe how you distinguish between two separate samples of enantiomers

Answer 1

• use of plane polarised light
• enantiomers will rotate the plane polarised light in different directions

Question 2

explain why the reaction forms a racemic mixture

Answer 2

• planar carbonyl group is attacked from either side
• formation of either enantiomers is of equal probability