Question

Question: Draw the products of each S_N1 reaction and indicate the stereochemistry when necessary.

a.

b.

Short answer

a.

Products obtained from reaction (a)

b.

Products obtained from reaction (b)

Step-by-step solution

Stereochemistry of the SN1 reactions

The S_N1 reaction takes place in two steps. The first step involves the formation of the carbocation intermediate with the removal of the leaving group. The nucleophile attacks in the second step.

The carbocation intermediate is achiral in nature, and it has a planar geometry. The nucleophilic attack can take place from both sides of the intermediate.

This results in the formation of equal amounts of the two enantiomeric products, and the racemic mixture is obtained.

The products of the given reaction are as follows:

a. The given reactants will produce a racemic mixture of the following products:

Products obtained from reaction (a)

b.The given reactants will produce a racemic mixture of the following products:

Products obtained from reaction (b)