Natural epinephrine, [a]D25oC = -50, is used medicinally. Its enantiomer is medically worthless and is. in fact,

Question:

Natural epinephrine, [a]D25oC = -50, is used medicinally. Its enantiomer is medically worthless and is. in fact, toxic. You, a pharmacist, are given a solution said to contain 1 g of epinephrine in 20 mL of liquid, but the optical purity is not specified. You place it in a polarimeter (10-cm tube) and get a reading of -2.5°. What is the optical purity of the sample? Is it safe to use medicinally?