What is the stereochemistry of the product formed from the reaction of (R)-2-bro
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the stereochemistry of the product formed from the reaction of (R)-2-bromobutane with sodium iodide in acetone?
R
S
R and S
No stereochemistry change
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the stereochemistry of the product formed from the reaction of (R)-2-bromobutane with sodium iodide in acetone?
Step 1: Identify the starting material, which is (R)-2-bromobutane. This molecule has a specific 3D arrangement of atoms.
Step 2: Recognize that sodium iodide (NaI) in acetone is a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The iodide ion (I-) will attack the carbon atom that is bonded to the bromine (Br).
Step 3: Understand that during this reaction, the bromine atom (Br) will leave, and the iodide ion (I-) will take its place.
Step 4: Note that this type of reaction (known as an SN2 reaction) causes the configuration of the chiral center to invert. Since the starting material is (R)-2-bromobutane, the product will be (S)-2-iodobutane.
Step 5: Conclude that the stereochemistry of the product formed is (S)-2-iodobutane due to the inversion of configuration.
