What type of stereochemistry is observed in an SN2 reaction?

Practice Questions

Q1
What type of stereochemistry is observed in an SN2 reaction?
  1. Racemic mixture
  2. Retention of configuration
  3. Inversion of configuration
  4. No stereochemistry change

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

What type of stereochemistry is observed in an SN2 reaction?
  • Step 1: Understand what an SN2 reaction is. It is a type of nucleophilic substitution reaction where one molecule replaces another.
  • Step 2: Identify the role of the nucleophile. In an SN2 reaction, the nucleophile attacks the carbon atom that is bonded to the leaving group.
  • Step 3: Recognize the 'backside attack'. The nucleophile approaches the carbon from the opposite side of the leaving group.
  • Step 4: Observe the result of the backside attack. This attack causes the configuration of the carbon atom to change.
  • Step 5: Conclude that the configuration changes from one form (R or S) to the opposite form (S or R). This is known as inversion of configuration.
No concepts available.
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