When dilute acid is added to optically acitve (R)-2-octanol and the mixture is allowed to stand for some time, the solution become optically inactive. Expain this observation.

When dilute acid is added to optically acitve (R)-2-octanol and the mi

1.	When dilute acid is added to optically acitve (R)-2-octanol and the mixture is allowed to stand for some time, the solution become optically inactive. Expain this observation.
Answer» Solution :In the presence of acid, the -OH group of (R)-2-butanol undergoes PROTONATION and then C-O bond dissociation occurs to form an achiral `2^(@)` carbocation (an `S_N1` process). The dissociation occurs smoothly because `H_(2)O` is a very good leaving group. Nucleophilic attack on the carboncation by water then takes place from both sides with euqal facility to yeild equimolar amounts of (R) and (S)-2-butanol having OPPOSITE ratation. it is for this reason, optically active (R)-2-octanol become optically inactive due to the formation of a recemic mixture when allowed to stand with dilute acid. 1(##CHY_CHE_ORG_XII_P2_U10_SLV_252_S01.png" width="80%">.