Question

The two reactions above, show routes for conversion of an alkene into an oxirane. If the starting alkene is cis-3-hexene the configurations of the oxirane products, A and B are Product A: _______ Product B: _______ Will either of these two oxirane products rotate the plane of polarization of plane polarized light

Answer 1

Answer:

Product A and B : (2R,3S)-2,3-diethyloxirane and (2S,3R)-2,3-diethyloxirane.

Explanation:

A double bond is converted to an oxirane through oxidation by peracids e.g. mCPBA (meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid).

Epoxidation can occur at both face of double bond result in formation of two stereoisomers.

Product A and B : (2R,3S)-2,3-diethyloxirane and (2S,3R)-2,3-diethyloxirane

Both A and B contain plane of symmetry. Hence, both the products are achiral. So, they do not rotate the plane of polarization of plane polarized light.