In SN₂ reactions of optically active alkyl halides, the product exhibits inverted configuration compared to the reactant, as the nucleophile attaches itself on the side opposite to the halogen atom.
What is the outcome of SN₂ reactions in terms of configuration in optically active alkyl halides?
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In SN₂ (nucleophilic substitution bimolecular) reactions involving optically active alkyl halides, the outcome is inversion of configuration at the chiral center. This occurs as the nucleophile attacks the electrophilic carbon from the side opposite to the leaving group. The attacking nucleophile displaces the leaving group while simultaneously inverting the stereochemistry. As a result, the configuration of the chiral center changes from R to S or vice versa. The stereochemical inversion is a characteristic feature of SN₂ reactions, making them particularly significant in the context of chirality and stereochemistry in organic chemistry.