In: Chemistry
Pure l-phenylalanine has a specific rotation of -35.1 degrees. What is the enantiomeric excess of a 10.0 g/mL solution of phenylalanine which when placed in a standard 1.00 dm cell and analyzed in a polarimeter rotates plane polarized light -31.6 degrees?
observed specific rotation = rotation / cell length x concentration
= -31.6 / 1 x 10
= -3.16 oC
enantiomeric excess = observed specific rotation x 100 / pure specific rotation
= -3.16 x 100 / -35.1
= 9.0 %