compound A (C10H18O2) is optically pure with an absolute configuration "S" at the stereocentre. The IR spectrum of A has no strong bands at 3400cm-1, a weak band at 3050cm-1, several strong bands from 2850 to 2950cm-1, a strong band at 1740cm-1 and a strong band near 1100cm-1. When A was reacted with excess hydrogen gas in the presence of a platinum catalyst, two products B and C (both with molecular formula C10H20O2) were formed in unequal amounts. No bands above 3000cm-1 were present in the IR spectra of these substances.