Chapter 4, Problem 66P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The percent of (R)-glyceraldehyde present in the given mixture has to be calculated.

Concept introduction:

The pair of Enantiomers has different configurations.

Pair of enantiomers has different optical activity, which means if one will show levorotatory then the other will show dextrorotatory.

The direction and magnitude of rotation of plane-polarized light by an optically compound is measured by using polarimeter.

This rotation of polarized light is specific for a compound at specified temperature and wavelength, so it is called as Specific rotation of that compound.

The specific rotation of enantiomers has equal magnitudes and opposite signs.

Racemic mixture (equal amounts of enantiomers) of a compound has zero specific rotation.

If the mixture contain unequal amount of enantiomers of a compound, then the amount of excess of enantiomer is called enantiomeric excess or optical purity. It is calculated by,

$\text{enantiomeric}\text{excess}\text{=}\frac{\text{observed}\text{specific}\text{rotation}}{\text{specific}\text{rotation}\text{of}\text{the}\text{pure}\text{enantiomer}}\text{×100\%}$