Chapter 21, Problem 147CP

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The optical activity of the given form of tartaric acid is to be explained and the structure of its optically active form is to be drawn.

Concept introduction: Optically active compounds are those consist of a chiral centre and rotate a plane of polarized light in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. Tartaric acid is an $\text{α}$-hydroxy-carboxylic acid having a structural formula $\left({\text{HO}}_{\text{2}}\text{CCH}\left(\text{OH}\right)\text{CH}\left(\text{OH}\right){\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}\text{H}\right)$. It also exists in meso form. Meso compounds are those which form superimposable mirror images of each other after having stereogenic centre in its structure.

To determine: The explanation for the optical activity of the given form of tartaric acid.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The optical activity of the given form of tartaric acid is to be explained and the structure of its optically active form is to be drawn.

Concept introduction: Optically active compounds are those consist of a chiral centre and rotate a plane of polarized light in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. Tartaric acid is an $\text{α}$-hydroxy-carboxylic acid having a structural formula $\left({\text{HO}}_{\text{2}}\text{CCH}\left(\text{OH}\right)\text{CH}\left(\text{OH}\right){\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}\text{H}\right)$. It also exists in meso form. Meso compounds are those which form superimposable mirror images of each other after having stereogenic centre in its structure.

To determine: The structure of the optically active form of tartaric acid.