Would a 50:50 Mixture of (2R,3R)-2,3-Dibromobutane and (2R,3S)-2,3-Dibromobutane Be Optically

question 128

Essay

Would a 50:50 mixture of (2R,3R)-2,3-dibromobutane and (2R,3S)-2,3-dibromobutane be optically active? Explain.

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Definitions:

Catalysis

The acceleration of a reaction rate by a molecule that is unchanged by participating in the reaction.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A membrane-bound transporter enzyme present in many cell (plasma) membranes that pumps sodium out of cells while pumping potassium into cells, thus maintaining the concentration and electrical gradients of these ions.

Endocytosis

Process by which a cell takes in a small amount of extracellular fluid (and its contents) by the ballooning inward of the plasma membrane.

Exocytosis

Process by which a cell expels a vesicle’s contents to extracellular fluid.