8.7 Two products are formed in the following reaction in a 50:50 mixture. Would the resulting solution be optically active

Yes. The solution would be optically active.

Explanation:

Diastereomer are defined as the image that is non mirror and non -identical. It is made up of two stereoisomers. They are formed when the two stereoisomers or more than two stereoisomers of the compound have the same configuration at the equivalent stereocenters.

In the given context, as the product given is a diastereomeric mixture, the product would have an optical activity in total.

So the answer is Yes.

c. heat could easily travel through the molecules in the air and escape/enter the flask. removing the air slows down the heat transfer.