Chapter 11, Problem 11.14P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The diastereomer of $\text{3-bromo-2-butanol}$ which forms an epoxide at a greater rate when treated with base is to be identified.

Concept introduction:

Reaction of a halohydrin with a base yields an epoxide which is an intramolecular variation of Williamson ether synthesis. In halohydrin, the nucleophile and the leaving group are present at anti position with respect to each other due to which it reacts with base to form an epoxide at a faster rate.