Question

Esterification ( shown below ) is a reaction converting a carboxylic acid to its ester. It involves only the carbonyl carbon. Esterification of $(-)-$lactic acid with menthol yields $(+)-$methyl lactate. Assuming that there are no side reactions, what is true about this reaction ?

• A. An $S_{N^2}$ process has occurred, inverting the absolute configuration of the chiral center
• B. An $S_{N^1}$ reaction at the chiral center has inverted the optical rotation
• C. A diastereomer has been produced; diastereomar have different physical properties including optical rotation
• D. Optical rotation is not directly to absolute configuration, so the change in sign of rotation is merely a coincidence

Answer 1

The correct option is D Optical rotation is not directly to absolute configuration, so the change in sign of rotation is merely a coincidence

$D)$ optical rotation is net directly to absolute contiguration.