Explain enantiomers with the example of lactic acid — JEE Chemistry
Explain enantiomers with the example of lactic acid. Draw both structures and state which is optically active.
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Lactic acid $(CH_3-CH(OH)-COOH)$ has one chiral centre (C-2). Two non-superimposable mirror images:
- $(R)$-lactic acid: rotates plane-polarised light to the right (+)
- $(S)$-lactic acid: rotates to the left (-)
Both are optically active. An equimolar mixture is a racemic mixture (optically inactive, $[\alpha] = 0$).
$$Both enantiomers rotate plane-polarised light equally but in opposite directions$$
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Discussion (5)
RJ
Saved me before my mock test. Much clearer than my coaching notes.
PI
Quick doubt: would this method still work if the numbers were not so clean?
SG
Can someone explain why we ignore the other root here?
RV
What changes if the medium/conditions were different?
VA
Good follow-up questions — remember to always state your assumptions in the JEE subjective section.