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.

Answered by Jake V. Chemistry tutor

9870 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Draw [Cu(H2O)6]2+ and explain why is it blue in colour.


What is meant by an ion being 'polarising' - and how does that determine if something is ionic/covalent?


What is the difference between an ionic and covalant bond?


What are the differences between sigma and pi bonds?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy