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     During the final weeks of Spring term '13-'14, I wrote a research paper for my chemistry class titled 'Chemical Enantioselective Synthesis: The Search for the Other Half.' Certain molecules have a property called chirality, which dictates whether or not the molecule has optical isomers. In essence, two molecules that are exactly the same, but are non-superimposable mirror images of one another, are optical isomers. d- and l- optical isomers (or enantiomers), reflect plane-polarized light in different directions.

     d- and l- enantiomers are crucial in the development of medicine and pharmaceuticals, because enzymes in the human body typically only interact with the d- enantiomer of any given substance. If a substance is administered in a racemic (half d-, half l-) mixture, the l- half of the substance might have undesirable side effects, or might just pass through the human body harmlessly. Therefore, enantioselective synthesis is a crucial process for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture controlled and safe medicines.

     Enantioselective synthesis is complicated, and feasible mechanisms are very difficult to discover. In the paper, I discuss some common synthesis methods, instances of marketed racemic mixtures that went awry, and detail the search for an efficient l-glucose synthesis. Since l-glucose is not absorbed by the body, it can be used as a zero-calorie alternative to d-glucose, the much more common enantiomer, and it has the potential to unlock more secrets of optical isomers.

     Here's the paper, I hope you enjoy it!

Enantiomers and Synthesis of L-Glucose.pdf