Chapter 14.12, Problem 25ATS

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The synthesis for the Ethylene glycol has to be done.

Concept Introduction:

The opening of Epoxide involves in two functional groups on adjacent Carbon atoms.

The important features of ring opening reactions are regiochemistry and stereochemistry.

1. 1) Regiochemistry: The regiochemistry depends on the nature of Epoxide when the starting Epoxide is unsymmetrical.
2. 2) Stereochemistry: Inversion of configuration is observed when nucleophilic attack is seen at less hindered primary position if one position is primary and other is secondary. This steric effect is also expected from ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{2}$ process.