SN2 substitution at a stereocenter proceeds with what stereochemical outcome?

Intro-College-Stem Organic-Chemistry

Inversion of configuration at the alpha carbon

✓ Correct Answer

Explanation

SN2 proceeds through a backside attack of the nucleophile, inverting the configuration at the alpha carbon (Walden inversion). An R-substrate yields the S-product (or vice versa) at the reacting center.

📄 Source: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Map%3A_Organic_Chemistry_(Vollhardt_and_Schore)/07._Further_Reactions_of_Haloalkanes/7.4%3A_The_SN2_Reaction

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