What is the stereochemical outcome of the SN2 reaction of (R)-2-bromobutane with sodium iodide?

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Q: What is the stereochemical outcome of the SN2 reaction of (R)-2-bromobutane with sodium iodide?

Solution: The SN2 mechanism inverts the configuration at the chiral center, resulting in (S)-2-iodobutane.

Steps: 5

Step 1: Identify the starting compound, which is (R)-2-bromobutane. This compound has a specific 3D arrangement of atoms around the chiral center.
Step 2: Understand that the SN2 reaction involves a nucleophile (in this case, sodium iodide) attacking the carbon atom that is bonded to the bromine atom.
Step 3: Recognize that during the SN2 reaction, the bromine atom leaves, and the iodide ion from sodium iodide takes its place.
Step 4: Note that the SN2 mechanism causes the configuration at the chiral center to invert. This means that if the starting compound was (R), the product will be (S).
Step 5: Conclude that the final product of the reaction is (S)-2-iodobutane.