Asked by Courtney Weisenberger on Sep 26, 2024
Verified
When L-erythrose is treated with NaBH4, ________.
A) a 70:30 mixture of enantiomeric alditols results
B) a 50:50 mixture of enantiomeric alditols results
C) a meso alditol is produced
D) the product mixture contains two diastereomeric alditols
E) an optically active alditol is produced
L-Erythrose
A four-carbon sugar, or tetrose, with the chemical formula C4H8O4, one of the simplest aldose configurations.
NaBH4
Sodium borohydride, a reducing agent widely used in organic chemistry for the reduction of aldehydes, ketones, and aldehydes to alcohols.
Alditol
A type of sugar alcohol resulting from the hydrogenation of an aldose, used in food as a low-calorie sweetener.
- Acquire knowledge on the chemical properties of monosaccharides as they respond to assorted reagents.
Verified Answer
LK
lizzie krofchik3 days ago
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
L-erythrose treated with NaBH4 results in the reduction of the carbonyl group to an alcohol, forming an alditol. Since L-erythrose is a symmetrical molecule, the reduction leads to a meso compound, which is optically inactive due to its internal plane of symmetry.
Learning Objectives
- Acquire knowledge on the chemical properties of monosaccharides as they respond to assorted reagents.