An attempt at synthesizing a certain optically active compound resulted in a mixture of its enantiomers. The mixture had an observed specific rotation of 14.1°. If it is known that the specific rotation of the R enantiomer is - 28.4°, determine the percentage of each isomer in the mixture. g

The percentage of the R-enantiomer is 26.18% while the percentage of the S-enantiomer is 73.82%

Explanation:

If the specific rotation of R enantiomer = - 28.4, then the specific rotation of S = + 28.4

Now, let us have x = % R, thus

% S = 100-x = y

Hence;

{ - 28.4x + 28.4 (100 - x) }/100 = 14.1

Thus;

-28.4x + 2840 - 28.4x = 1410

-56.8x + 2840 = 1410

-56.8x = 1410-2840

-56.8x = - 1430

x = 1430/56.8

x = 26.18%

y = 100-26.18% = 73.82%