The specific angle of rotation of (R)-2-bromobutane is -23.1°. Treatment of (R)-2-bromobutane with potassium bromide produces a racemic mixture of (R)- and (S)-2-bromobutane, which is optically inactive. The rate at which the product's angle of rotation decreases is directly proportional to the concentration of KBr. Does this suggest that the reaction takes place by an SN1 or an SŅ2 mechanism? Explain.

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The specific angle of rotation of (R)-2-bromobutane is -23.1°. Treatment of (R)-2-bromobutane with potassium bromide
produces a racemic mixture of (R)- and (S)-2-bromobutane, which is optically inactive. The rate at which the product's
angle of rotation decreases is directly proportional to the concentration of KBr. Does this suggest that the reaction takes
place by an SN1 or an SŅ2 mechanism? Explain.
Transcribed Image Text:The specific angle of rotation of (R)-2-bromobutane is -23.1°. Treatment of (R)-2-bromobutane with potassium bromide produces a racemic mixture of (R)- and (S)-2-bromobutane, which is optically inactive. The rate at which the product's angle of rotation decreases is directly proportional to the concentration of KBr. Does this suggest that the reaction takes place by an SN1 or an SŅ2 mechanism? Explain.
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The specific angle of rotation of (R)-2-bromobutane is -23.1 degrees. Treatment of (R)-2-bromobutane with potassium bromide produces a racemic mixture of (R)- and (S)-2-bromobutane, which is optically inactive. The rate at which the product's angle of rotation decreases is directly proportional to the concentration of KBr.

Does this suggest that the reaction takes place an SN1 or an SN2 mechanism has to be explained below.

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