Question

An important chemical method to resolve a racemic mixture makes uses of the formation of \((\mathrm{CBSE} 94)\) 1) a mesocompound (2) enantiomers (3) diastereomers (4) racemates

Short answer

Diastereomers

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Racemic Mixture

A racemic mixture contains equal amounts of two enantiomers, which are molecules that are mirror images of each other but not superimposable.

- Identify Methods for Resolution

To resolve a racemic mixture, one must separate these enantiomers. There are methods like converting them into diastereomers, which have different physical properties and can be separated.

- Analyze the Given Options

Go through each option: 1) A mesocompound is achiral and cannot resolve a racemic mixture. 2) Enantiomers are already present in the racemic mixture and need resolution. 3) Diastereomers can be separated due to different physical properties. 4) Racemates are simply another term for racemic mixtures and need resolution.

- Determine the Correct Answer

The correct method involves forming diastereomers because, unlike enantiomers, they have different physical and chemical properties that allow for separation.

Key concepts

diastereomers

Diastereomers are a type of stereoisomer. Unlike enantiomers, they are not mirror images of each other. This difference is crucial because diastereomers have distinct physical properties. For example, they might have different melting points, boiling points, and solubilities. These differences allow chemists to separate diastereomers more easily than enantiomers. By converting a racemic mixture into diastereomers, one can leverage these distinct properties to achieve separation. This method is particularly useful because it doesn't rely on chiral environments to work.

enantiomers

Enantiomers are molecules that are mirror images of each other but cannot be superimposed. Think of your hands; they are mirror images, but no matter how you turn one, it will never perfectly align with the other. This property makes enantiomers unique. However, because they have identical physical properties in a non-chiral environment, separating them directly is challenging. Techniques like chiral chromatography or converting them into diastereomers are often employed to resolve racemic mixtures.

methods of separation

Separating components of a racemic mixture involves several methods:

• **Chiral Chromatography**: Uses a chiral stationary phase to separate enantiomers based on their interaction with the phase.
• **Conversion to Diastereomers**: As discussed, converting enantiomers into diastereomers helps leverage their differing physical properties for separation.
• **Resolving Agents**: Adding a chiral resolving agent to form diastereomeric salts is another common method.
• **Kinetic Resolution**: Involves a chemical reaction that occurs at different rates for each enantiomer.

Each of these methods relies on differences in interaction, reaction rates, or physical properties to achieve separation.

chiral molecules

Chiral molecules are molecules that have a non-superimposable mirror image. This chirality arises when a carbon atom is bonded to four different groups. Such a carbon is called a chiral center or stereocenter. These molecules come in pairs, referred to as enantiomers. Chiral molecules are significant in various fields, especially in pharmaceuticals, where different enantiomers of a drug can have very different effects. Understanding and resolving chirality is therefore crucial in chemistry and related industries.