During the process of mutarotationa)Change in optical activity is obse...
Mutarotation is the change in the optical rotation because of the change in the equilibrium between two anomers. when the corresponding stereocenters interconvert. Cyclic sugars show mutarotation as α and β anomeric forms interconvert.
During mutarotation optical activity does not change from positive to negative but increases or decreases. For example-In α glucose specific rotation is +112.2 but in its anomeric form β -Glucose, the specific rotation is +18.7.
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During the process of mutarotationa)Change in optical activity is obse...
Mutarotation: Change in Optical Activity and Anomeric Form of Glucose
Mutarotation is a process that occurs when a pure sample of glucose, which exists in the form of α-D-glucose or β-D-glucose, is dissolved in water. This process involves the interconversion of the α and β anomers of glucose, resulting in a change in optical activity and the establishment of an equilibrium between the two forms.
Change in Optical Activity (Option A):
- Optical activity refers to the ability of a substance to rotate the plane of polarized light.
- In the case of glucose, both α-D-glucose and β-D-glucose exhibit optical activity.
- When a pure sample of glucose is dissolved in water, the initially observed optical activity is due to the predominant form present (either α or β).
- However, as the glucose molecules undergo mutarotation, the equilibrium between the α and β forms is established.
- During this process, the optical activity of the solution changes because the specific rotation of α-D-glucose differs from that of β-D-glucose.
- Therefore, a change in optical activity is observed during mutarotation.
Change in Anomeric Form (Option B):
- The anomeric carbon in glucose is the carbon atom that is involved in the glycosidic bond formation.
- This carbon can exist in two different forms: α and β.
- In the α form, the hydroxyl group attached to the anomeric carbon is positioned below the ring plane.
- In the β form, the hydroxyl group attached to the anomeric carbon is positioned above the ring plane.
- In a pure sample of glucose, either the α or β form is present.
- However, during mutarotation, the glycosidic bond breaks and reforms, resulting in an interconversion between the α and β forms.
- This interconversion continues until an equilibrium is established, where both α-D-glucose and β-D-glucose are present in the solution.
- Therefore, a change in the anomeric form of glucose occurs during mutarotation.
Conclusion:
- Mutarotation is a process in which the α and β forms of glucose interconvert in an aqueous solution.
- This process leads to a change in optical activity and the establishment of an equilibrium between the two forms.
- Therefore, both options A (change in optical activity) and B (change in anomeric form) are correct.