Question

(S)-(+)-Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer used in many foods. Some people have an allergic reaction to MSG (including headache, chest pain, and an overall feeling of weakness). "Fast food" often contains substantial amounts of MSG, which is widely used in Chinese food as well. (S)-(+)-MSG has a specific rotation of +24.

Part A)

What is the specific rotation of (R)-(−)-monosodium glutamate?

Express your answer as an integer.

Part B)

What is the specific rotation of a racemic mixture of MSG?

Express your answer as an integer.

Please show work.

Answer 1

part A : ) R , S isomers will have same rotation but in opposite direction.

so if S-MSG have +24 rotation then

R-MSG will have -24 rotation

part B:) recimic mixture means the mixture having two isomers R and S so resultant rotation will be zero by cancelling one another.

ao specfic rotation of recimic mixture = 0