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Lactic acid looses optical activity when reduced with red P and HI because A. racemic mixture is formed B. spatial arrangement is changed C. symmetry of the molecule is destroyed D. chirality of the molecule is destroyed

Lactic acid looses optical activity when reduced with red P and HI because
A. racemic mixture is formed
B. spatial arrangement is changed
C. symmetry of the molecule is destroyed
D. chirality of the molecule is destroyed

Grade:Upto college level

2 Answers

Saurabh Koranglekar
askIITians Faculty 10335 Points
3 years ago
Dear student

The answer is option C

Regards
Vikas TU
14149 Points
3 years ago
In lactic acid, middle carbon atom acts as chiral centre with 4 different functional groups (-H, -OH, -CH3, -COOH) attached to it.
- When -OH group is exchanged by -H, lactic acid converts to propanoic acid with no chiral centre in it. (Since there are two -H on middle carbon).
- Hence, lactic acid loses its optical activity,

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