Refutation of alleged differences in the energy contents of optical isomers

Abstract

The heats of combustion of the optical isomers of α-monostearin and of glyceraldehyde reported by D. Buchnea to differ by 62 and 64 kcal/g-mole, respectively, were redetermined. Our experimental values for these, and for the optical isomers of several related compounds, are in accord with the generally accepted view that the heats of combustion of optical isomers are identical. They refute not only Buchnea's concept of different energy contents for optical isomers, but also the claim that they are responsible for the different rates of reaction observed by him for L-, D-, and DL-α-monostearin in ethereal suspensions containing gaseous hydrogen chloride.