Question

The S_N2 reaction of a compound containing an asymmetric carbon atom always gives ____________.

Options

• a metamer of the substrate

• a product with opposite optical rotation

• a mixture of cis-trans isomers

• none of these

Answer 1

The S_N2 reaction of a compound containing an asymmetric carbon atom always gives a product with opposite optical rotation.

Explanation:

In S_N2 reactions, the configuration is inverted. It is impossible to attack the nucleophile from the same side as the leaving group. As a result, a backside attack occurs when a product is formed that has the opposite optical rotation as the reactant.