Consider the reaction of R-3-bromobutane (where the stereocenter is in the \"R\"
ID: 922988 • Letter: C
Question
Consider the reaction of R-3-bromobutane (where the stereocenter is in the "R" configuration) with OH-, which we will assume procedes through an SN2 process for this question.
Which of the following statements is TRUE.
a) A tertiary carbocation will form during this reaction
b) For this reaction, the energy of the necleophilic attack is lower than the energy of carbocation formation.
c) The reaction will have two steps.
d) The nucleophilic lone pair electrons on the OH- will attack in the second step of the reaction.
e) The product of the reaction will be a 50/50 mixture of R-3-hexanol and S-3-hexanol
Explanation / Answer
statement b is true.
For SN2 reaction, the energy of the necleophilic attack is lower than the energy of carbocation formation.
SN2 process is a concerted (single step) mechanism wherein there is a back side attack of the nucleophile on the C bearing halide. There is an inversion of configuration; so, the reaction is stereospecific and gives only one enatiomer as product(no racemic mixture).
Also, no carbocation is formed in this mechanism.