medium · MCAT chem-phys

Consider the S_N2 reaction between (S)-2-bromobutane and sodium hydroxide in a polar aprotic solvent.

What will be the stereochemical outcome and the primary reason for that outcome?

  1. A racemic mixture of 2-butanol due to the formation of a planar carbocation intermediate
  2. Formation of (R)-2-butanol due to backside attack by the nucleophile
  3. Retention of configuration, yielding (S)-2-butanol
  4. No reaction will occur because secondary substrates cannot undergo S_N2 substitution.

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