Question

From which alkyl bromide was the following alkyl acetate made S_N2 byreaction? Write the reaction, showing all stereochemistry.

Short answer

The inversion of configuration is observed and thus, produces R acetate.

Step-by-step solution

SN2 reaction

A S_N2reactionis a bimolecular substitution and is a second-order reaction. The inversion of configuration occurs when alkyl bromide reacts with alkyl acetate, and this inversion takes place at the chirality center.

The alkyl bromide from which alkyl acetate is made by SN2 reaction

Using S_N2 route, the reaction of secondary bromide with alkyl acetate (weakly basic) nucleophile occurs. The inversion of configuration is observed and thus, produces R acetate.

An alkyl bromide from which alkyl acetate is made by S_N2 reaction