A graduate student was studying enzymatic reduction of cyclohexanones. When the NADPH enzyme was used to reduce the following compound an optically active product was produced. The product was purified to ensure that no contaminants exist, and optically activity was tested again. The product was still optically active.
1.If this reaction could be accomplished using H2 (g) and Ni catalyst, would product be optically active? Explain your answer.
2.Does the product have any asymmetric carbon atoms? Place a star on the asymmetric carbon then explain your answer. And does this explain optical activity observed?