Explain why the product of nucleophilic addition of a cyanide ion to the ketone CH3COCH2CH3 shows no optical activity

The ketone group is planar and the cyanide ion has equal chance of attacking above or below the plane. Therefore a racemic mixture of the product is formed and the product shows no optical activity

HT

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

In an experiment a burrette was identified as the largest source of uncertainty, how could this uncertainty be reduced?


Explain why bromine reacts more readily with phenol than benzene


An alcohol, X has an Mr of 74 and percentage composition of 64.9% Carbon, 13.5% Hydrogen and 21.6% Oxygen. It does not turn potassium dichromate (VI) green. Determine the structural formula of X, and state its name.


How could you obtain a carboxylic acid from oxidation of an alcohol and what type of alcohol would be suitable?