A graduate student, Al Kane, has been given by his professor a very precious sample of (2)-3-methylhexane, along with optically active samples of both enantiomers of 4-methylhexanoic acid, each of known absolute configuration.

Kane has been instructed to determine the absolute configuration of (2)-3-methylhexane. Kane has come to you for assistance. Show what he should do to deduce the configuration of the optically active hydrocarbon from the acids of known configuration. Be specific.