Question

A pharmaceutical company was forced to recall a pain reliever medications that had been linked to the fatalities of 200 people. Analysis of the recalled drug revealed the presence of 2 isomers due to an asymmetrical carbon atom in the drug molecule. What can be hypothesized from the observation? (4.2)

- The isomers are enantiomers, with 1 having toxic effects on humans

Answer 1

The isomers are enantiomers, with 1 having toxic effects on humans

Step-by-step explanation:

Many drugs marketed presently are "acemic mixtures of stereoisomers". They are either enantiomers or geometric isomers. What this means is that they are 2 isomers that are mirror images of each other but cannot be superimposed in each other (enantiomers), or they are 2 isomers that aren't mirror images. In the case of the pain reliever drug, there were two mirror isomers, however one of them had toxic effect on humans and rersulted to the fatalities recorded.