The Aldehyde CH3CH2CHO (A) reacts with HCN to give a racemic mixture, name the compound CH3CH2CH(CN)OH (B) formed and explain why we get a racemic mixture and how we could differentiate between two different enantiomerically pure solutions of B

B = R/S 2-hydroxybutanenitrile
we get a racemic mixture because the carbon in the aldehyde where the nucleophile attacks has a trigonal planar geometry and so there is an equal chance of attack by the nucleophile from either side of the aldehyde to give two products which are not superimposable upon each other.
Each solution would rotate plane polarised light by equal amounts but in opposite directions.

JV
Answered by Jake V. Chemistry tutor

13302 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

When testing for primary, secondary, and teritary alcohols what is the testing reagent and the results of the test?


Construct expressions for pH, Kw and Gibbs Free energy


How do buffer solutions work and how do you calculate the pH of a buffer solution?


Explain why Scandium is not considered a true transition metal.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning