Question

Example of Relationship of R/S and (+)/(-): (R)-2-methyl-1-butanol has a specific rotation of +11.38, what is the specific rotation of the (S) enantiomer.

Answer 1

The specific rotation of the (S) enantiomer of 2-methyl-1-butanol is -11.38, as enantiomers have equal but opposite specific rotations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Enantiomers are optical isomers that can rotate the plane of polarized light in opposite directions. The specific rotation of one enantiomer is numerically equal but with an opposite sign to its mirror image. Considering the provided example of (R)-2-methyl-1-butanol with a specific rotation of +11.38, the specific rotation of the (S) enantiomer of 2-methyl-1-butanol would be -11.38. This is because if one enantiomer, in this case the (R) form, is dextrorotatory and shows a positive rotation, the (S) enantiomer will be levorotatory, rotating plane-polarized light to an equal extent but in the opposite direction, thus showing a negative specific rotation.