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Edexcel A-Level Chemistry A2 15.4 What Is Meant By the Term Racemic Mixture Questions

Look for a 50:50 mixture of enantiomers or equal attack on both faces of a planar carbonyl, then link the sample to no net optical activity.

Syllabus
First assessment 2019
Course
Chemistry YCH11
Level
A2

Exam points

  • State that a racemic mixture contains equal amounts of the two enantiomers.
  • Explain no optical activity by equal and opposite rotations cancelling in the sample.
  • Recognise enantiomer pairs that can form a racemic mixture when combined.

Edexcel A-Level Chemistry A2 15.4 What Is Meant By the Term Racemic Mixture Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

This question is about carboxylic acids and their derivatives.

Lactic acid, CH3CH(OH)COOH\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}(\mathrm{OH}) \mathrm{COOH}, is produced in muscles as a result of anaerobic respiration.

A laboratory sample of lactic acid does not rotate the plane of plane-polarised monochromatic light.

Give a reason for this observation.

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