Chapter 7, Problem 47PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The racemization for the given reaction should be analyzed under the given conditions.

Concept Introduction:

Racemization: it is the process in which the pure enantiomers are converted into a mixture of D and L form of isomers.

Enantiomers: they are chiral molecules whose mirror images are not superimposable.

Chirality: It refers to a Carbon atom in a molecule that contains four different substituents.

D form: They are enantiomers which rotates plane polarized to clockwise direction.

L form: They are enantiomers which rotates plane polarized to anti-clockwise direction.

R and S nomenclature: it is used to assign the molecule using CIP rules.

The CIP rules are as follows:

Select the chiral carbon and assign the numbers according to the decreasing atomic mass of atoms attached to it by placing hydrogen below the plane.

If the numbering follows clockwise direction then the molecule is termed as R and if it follows anti-clockwise direction then molecule is termed as S.

Suppose if hydrogen is placed above the plane then corresponding isomer is just opposite to the resulting isomer.

${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{2}$ mechanism: The reaction mechanism in which the rate determining step on both the alkylhalide and the nucleophile present in the substrate. This mechanism leads to the formation of product with inversed configuration.

Leaving group: it is the fragment that leaves the substrate in a chemical reaction with a pair of electrons.

Nucleophile: donates pair of electrons to positively charged substrate resulting in the formation of chemical bond.