Q
QuestionChemistry

If (S)-glyceraldehyde has a specific rotation of - 8.7°, what is the specific rotation of (R)-glyceraldehyde? A) 0.0° B) - 8.7° C) + 8.7° D) cannot be determined from the information given
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Answer

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Step 1
: Understand the problem

The specific rotation of a chiral molecule is a physical property that describes the rotation of plane-polarized light as it passes through a solution of the molecule. The specific rotation of (S)-glyceraldehyde is given as - 8.7°. The enantiomer of (S)-glyceraldehyde is (R)-glyceraldehyde, and enantiomers have equal but opposite specific rotations.

Step 2
: Determine the specific rotation of (R)-glyceraldehyde

+8.7^\circ
Since (R)-glyceraldehyde is the enantiomer of (S)-glyceraldehyde, their specific rotations have the same magnitude but opposite signs. Therefore, the specific rotation of (R)-glyceraldehyde is:

Final Answer

The specific rotation of (R)-glyceraldehyde is + 8.7° (option C).