An optically active compound (A) is treated with NaI in acetone to form compound (B). Determine the optical…
An optically active compound (A) is treated with NaI in acetone to form compound (B). Determine the optical activity of compound (B).
optically active
optically active and racemic form
optically inactive
None of these
Solution
1. Reaction type: \(\mathrm{Nal}\) in acetone is an \(S_N 2\) reaction.
2. Mechanism: \(S_N 2\) causes inversion of configuration at the chiral center.
3. Outcome: Inversion of configuration retains optical activity.
.