a. Explain why a racemic mixture of 2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-butanone is formed when (R)-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-butanone is dissolved in an acidic

Question:

a. Explain why a racemic mixture of 2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-butanone is formed when (R)-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-butanone is dissolved in an acidic or basic aqueous solution.
b. Give an example of another ketone that would undergo acid- or base-catalyzed racemization.