Question

Alkyl halides undergoing nucleophilic bimolecular substitution reaction involve ______.

Options

• retention of configuration

• formation of racemic mixture

• inversion of configuration

• formation of carbocation

Answer 1

Alkyl halides undergoing nucleophilic bimolecular substitution reaction involve inversion of configuration.

Explanation:

In nucleophilic bimolecular substitution (SN₂) reactions, the nucleophile attacks the carbon from the side opposite to the leaving group. This backside attack leads to a single-step reaction with inversion of configuration (like an umbrella turning inside out).