Question

$S_{N}1$ reactions involving
chiral electrophiles usually proceed with:

• A. Equal amounts of inversion and retention of configuration
• B. Retention of configuration
• C. Slightly more retention then inversion
• D. Slightly higher proportion of inversion than retention

Answer 1

The correct option is D Slightly higher proportion of inversion than retention

$S_{N}1$ reaction of an optically active halide is accompanied by racemization and it give equimolar mixture of d and l forms of an optically active compound but practically, we get slightly higher proportion of inverted product in $S_{N}1$ reaction and there is partial racemisation.