Esterification (shown below) is a reaction converting a carboxylic acid toits ester. Itinvolves only the carbonyl carbon. Esterification of (-) -lactic acid with methanol yields (+)-methyl lactate. Assuming that there are no side reactions, what is true about this reaction ?

Options

A. `AnS_(N^2)` process has occurred, inverting the absolute configuration of the chiral center
B. `AnS_(N^1)` reaction at the chiral center has inverted the optical rotation
C. A diastereomer has been produced, diastereomers have different physical properties including optical rotation
D. Optical rotation is notdirectly related to absolute configuration, so the change in sign of rotation is merely a coincidence

Explanation

Chiral center is not affected during the reaction so change in sign ofrotation is merely a coincidence.