Pure (S)-2-butanol has a specific rotation of +13.52 degrees. A sample of 2-butanol prepared in the lab and purified by distillation has a calculated specific rotation of +6.76 degrees. What can you conclude about the composition ?

Options

A. 50% (S), 50% impurity
B. 50% (S), 50% (R)
C. 50% (S), 50% racemic
D. some other mixture

Answer

C

Explanation

Optical purity = `("Optical rotation of mixture")/("Optical rotation of pure compound") xx 100 , O.P. = (6.76)/(13.52) xx 100`