Abstract
Part I. The preparation and optical resolutions of y-methyl-n-heptane has been undertaken and the effect of solvents on its rotatory powers studied. The hydrocarbon was chosen since it possesses no polar groups which might disturb solvent influences. A review of the theories dealing with the effect of solvents on rotatory powers is presented. The required hydrocarbon was obtained from ethyl-n-butyl acetic acid; this was first resolved, converted via its ethyl ester to B-ethyl-n-hexanol and the required optically active hydrocarbon was obtained by reduction of the corresponding iodide. The racemisation of carboxylic esters in the presence of alkali is reviewed. Drude equations have been calculated for ethyl-n-butyl acetic acid, its ethyl ester, and also for B-ethyl-n-hexanol. Part II. The peculiar properties of (-)-alphagamma-dimethylallyl alcohol obtained by hydrolysis of (-)-alphagamma-dimethylallyl chloride which is in turn obtained from (+)-alphagamma-dimethylallyl alcohol base have been investigated.