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

13521 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

why does silicon dioxide have such a high melting/boiling point?


i)Give the Correct full electronic configuration for the Mg2+ ion, ii) and state why it is easier to form the 2+ state for Mg than Ben


Describe the effects of changing the temperature on a reaction using Le Chatelier's princriple


Describe and explain the trend in first ionisation energy down group 2 of the periodic table.


We're here to help

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

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning