S_(N^2) reaction of an optically active haloalkane is accompanied by inversion of configuration at the asymmetric centre. Prove it.

S_(N^2) reaction of an optically active haloalkane is accompanied by i

1.	S_(N^2) reaction of an optically active haloalkane is accompanied by inversion of configuration at the asymmetric centre. Prove it.
Answer» SOLUTION :(i) `S_(N^2)`reaction of an optically active haloalkane (e.g., 2-bromo-octane) is accompanied by inversion of configuration at the ASYMMETRIC centre. (ii) When 2-bromooctane is heated with sodium hydroxide, 2-octanol is formed with inversion of configuration. (-) 2-bromo-octane on heating with sodium hydroxide gives (+) 2-octanol is formed in which-OH GROUP occupies a position opposite to what BROMINE had OCCUPIED in the optically active haloalkane.