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In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?
  • a)
    Usually one enantiomer is more stable than other
  • b)
    Retention of configuration is always favoured in reaction
  • c)
    Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configuration
  • d)
    There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configuration
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stere...
In SN1 reaction, some of the substrate, even after ionisation, remains associated as an intimate ion pair preventing nucleophilic attacks from front side and gives inverted product.

Due to partial reaction of nucleophile with intimate ion pair, net inversion of configuration is observed although predominant reaction occurs at planar carbocation giving racemic products.
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Most Upvoted Answer
In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stere...
Explanation:

SN1 reaction is a type of nucleophilic substitution reaction in which the rate-determining step involves the formation of a carbocation intermediate. In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre.

But, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?

The answer is option 'D'. Let's discuss why.

Steric hindrance

Steric hindrance is the main reason why 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained in SN1 reaction. In SN1 reaction, the nucleophile attacks the carbocation intermediate from the front or back side. The attack from the front side leads to inversion of configuration, while the attack from the back side leads to retention of configuration.

The steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configuration. This means that if there is steric hindrance in the front side, the nucleophile will prefer to attack the carbocation from the back side, leading to retention of configuration.

Inversion of configuration is favoured

In general, retention of configuration is not favoured in nucleophilic substitution reactions. This is because the nucleophile has to approach the carbocation from the side where the leaving group was located, and this often leads to steric hindrance.

However, in SN1 reaction, the carbocation intermediate is planar, which means that there is no steric hindrance to the approach of the nucleophile from either side. This means that both inversion and retention of configuration are possible in SN1 reaction.

Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configuration

In some cases, the solvent used in the reaction can also affect the stereochemistry of the product. For example, hydroxylic solvents like water or methanol can favour retention of configuration by stabilizing the transition state leading to retention.

Conclusion:

In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre. However, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained because steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side favours inversion of configuration.
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In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for Class 12 2024 is part of Class 12 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 12 exam syllabus. Information about In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Class 12 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Class 12. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Class 12 Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice In SN1 reaction, racemisation occurs if the reaction occurs at a stereogenic centre, however, 50:50 mixture of enantiomers are rarely obtained, why?a)Usually one enantiomer is more stable than otherb)Retention of configuration is always favoured in reactionc)Hydroxylic solvent favour retention of configurationd)There is steric hindrance to the approach of nucleophile from the front side as some of the leaving group are not departed completely which favour inversion of configurationCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Class 12 tests.
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