Assignment:
Pure (R)-2-bromo-1-flourobutane reacts with sodium cyanide in aqueous ethanol to form pure (R)-2-flouromethylbutanenitrile.
Q1) What is the probable mechanism of this reaction? Explain your reasoning.
Q2) Based on your choice of mechanism, explain how both the substrate and the product can have R configuration?
Q3) What will be the effect on the rate of this reaction of each of the following changes? Explain why in each case.
a) Doubling the concentration of sodium cyanide?
b) Using dimethylsulfide in place of aqueous ethanol as the solvent?
c) Using a racemic rather than an enantiomerically pure substrate?
Provide complete and step by step solution for the question and show calculations and use formulas.