Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes the stereochemical outcome of the Strecker synthesis of alanine?

1) The product is L-alanine.
2) The product is D-alanine.
3) The product is a mixture of L- and D-alanine.
4) Alanine does not contain a stereocenter.

Answer 1

The Strecker synthesis of alanine yields a racemic mixture of L-alanine and D-alanine, as the reaction does not favor the formation of one enantiomer over the other.

Step-by-step explanation:

The stereochemical outcome of the Strecker synthesis of alanine is that the product is a mixture of L- and D-alanine. Alanine does contain a stereocenter, meaning that it can exist in two enantiomeric forms, L and D, which are non-superimposable mirror images of each other as depicted in Figure 2.26. Since the Strecker synthesis does not inherently create a preference for either enantiomer, a racemic mixture of both L-alanine and D-alanine is formed.