In an Annual Report to Shareholders, Merck & Co

question 26

Essay

In an annual report to shareholders, Merck & Co., Inc. disclosed the following in regard to its financial instruments:

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Definitions:

Stereochemistry

The study of the spatial arrangement of atoms within molecules and its influence on the chemical and physical properties of substances.

(S)-3-chloro-3-methylhexane

A chiral compound with a specific three-dimensional arrangement around the chiral center, designated by the (S) configuration.

Asymmetric Carbon

A carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups of atoms, making it a chiral center.

R or S

Notation used in chemistry to describe the absolute configuration of chiral centers in molecules, indicating the spatial arrangement of atoms.