The Aldehyde CH3CH2CHO (A) reacts with HCN to give a racemic mixture, name the compound CH3CH2CH(CN)OH (B) formed and explain why we get a racemic mixture and how we could differentiate between two different enantiomerically pure solutions of B

B = R/S 2-hydroxybutanenitrile
we get a racemic mixture because the carbon in the aldehyde where the nucleophile attacks has a trigonal planar geometry and so there is an equal chance of attack by the nucleophile from either side of the aldehyde to give two products which are not superimposable upon each other.
Each solution would rotate plane polarised light by equal amounts but in opposite directions.

JV
Answered by Jake V. Chemistry tutor

12004 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why the first ionisation energy of phosphorous is different to that of sulfur


Calculate the pH of a 0.025 mol dm-​3​ solution of methanoic acid. For HCOOH, Ka = 1.58 x 10-​4​ mol dm-​3


How can one differentiate between the organic compounds propanal (CH3CH2CHO) and propanone (CH3COCH3)?


How can I use an infrared spectrum with a mass spectrum to identify an unknown compound?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences