Consider the ketones piperitone, menthone, and isomenthone.Suggest reasonable explanations...

Consider the ketones piperitone, menthone, and isomenthone.

Suggest reasonable explanations for each of the following observations:

(a) Optically active piperitone (αD = —32°) is converted to racemic piperitone on standing in a solution of sodium ethoxide in ethanol.

(b) Menthone is converted to a mixture of menthone and isomenthone on treatment with 90% sulfuric acid.