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 (R)-2-methyl-1-butanol is -11.38.

Step-by-step explanation:

Enantiomers are optical isomers that have the same chemical formula and connectivity but are mirror images of each other. They have opposite specific rotations. So, if the specific rotation of (R)-2-methyl-1-butanol is +11.38, then the specific rotation of the (S) enantiomer would be -11.38. This is because (R) and (S) refer to the absolute configuration of the chiral center, and the (+) and (-) signs indicate the direction of rotation of plane-polarized light.