Textbook Question
What nucleophiles would form the following compounds as a result of reacting with 1-iodobutane?
g.
7. Substitution Reactions
SN2 Reaction
12:10 minutesProblem 41b
Textbook Question
2-Acetoxycyclohexyl tosylate reacts with acetate ion to form 1,2-cyclohexanediol diacetate. The reaction is stereospecific—that is, the stereoisomers obtained as products depend on the stereoisomer used as a reactant. Recall that because 2-acetoxycyclohexyl tosylate has two asymmetric centers, it has four stereoisomers—two are cis and two are trans. Explain the following observations:
b. Both trans reactants form the same racemic mixture.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Analyze the structure of 2-acetoxycyclohexyl tosylate. It contains two asymmetric centers, which means it can exist as four stereoisomers: two cis and two trans. The trans isomers have substituents on opposite sides of the cyclohexane ring.
Step 2: Understand the reaction mechanism. The acetate ion (CH₃CH₂CO⁻) acts as a nucleophile and performs an SN2 reaction on the tosylate group. SN2 reactions proceed with inversion of configuration at the carbon undergoing substitution.
Step 3: Consider the stereochemistry of the trans isomers. In both trans isomers, the acetate ion attacks the carbon attached to the tosylate group, leading to inversion of configuration at that center. This inversion results in the formation of a product with a specific stereochemistry.
Step 4: Examine the product formation. After the SN2 reaction, the intermediate undergoes intramolecular nucleophilic attack by the acetate group on the second asymmetric center, leading to the formation of 1,2-cyclohexanediol diacetate. This step is also stereospecific.
Step 5: Explain why both trans reactants form the same racemic mixture. Due to the symmetry of the trans isomers and the stereospecific nature of the reaction, the inversion and subsequent attack result in products that are mirror images of each other. These mirror images form a racemic mixture, regardless of which trans isomer is used as the reactant.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Stereochemistry
Stereochemistry is the study of the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. In this reaction, the stereochemistry of the reactants influences the stereochemical outcome of the products. The presence of asymmetric centers in the reactants leads to different stereoisomers, which can yield distinct products based on their spatial orientation.
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Racemic Mixture
A racemic mixture is a 1:1 mixture of two enantiomers, which are molecules that are mirror images of each other. In the context of this reaction, both trans isomers of the 2-acetoxycyclohexyl tosylate react to form the same racemic mixture of products. This occurs because the reaction mechanism allows for the formation of both enantiomers equally, resulting in a racemic outcome regardless of the specific trans isomer used.
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Nucleophilic Substitution
Nucleophilic substitution is a fundamental reaction mechanism in organic chemistry where a nucleophile replaces a leaving group in a molecule. In this case, the acetate ion acts as the nucleophile that attacks the electrophilic carbon in the tosylate, leading to the formation of 1,2-cyclohexanediol diacetate. The stereospecific nature of this reaction means that the configuration of the starting material directly influences the stereochemistry of the product.
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