What is the stereochemical configuration of the product formed from the reaction
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the stereochemical configuration of the product formed from the reaction of (R)-2-bromobutane with a strong nucleophile in an S_N2 reaction?
R
S
R and S
No stereochemical change
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the stereochemical configuration of the product formed from the reaction of (R)-2-bromobutane with a strong nucleophile in an S_N2 reaction?
Step 1: Identify the starting material, which is (R)-2-bromobutane. This means the molecule has a specific 3D arrangement of atoms.
Step 2: Understand that an S_N2 reaction involves a strong nucleophile attacking the carbon atom that is bonded to the bromine atom (the leaving group).
Step 3: Recognize that in an S_N2 reaction, the nucleophile attacks from the opposite side of the leaving group (bromine), leading to a change in the configuration.
Step 4: Since the starting material is (R)-2-bromobutane, the attack by the nucleophile will cause the configuration to invert.
Step 5: Conclude that the product will have the (S) configuration due to this inversion.
