Organic Chemistry (8th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321768418
ISBN 13: 978-0-32176-841-4

Chapter 23 - Carbohydrates and Nucleic Acids - Problems - Page 1117: Problem 23-19

Answer

D-galactose is optically active but the product of the reduction of D-galactose is optically inactive. The explanation for that is that the product of reduction is a meso compound, and meso compounds are optically inactive.

Work Step by Step

The reduction product of D-galactose still has four chiral centers but also has a plane of symmetry; it is a meso compound and is therefore optically inactive.
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