The reaction of butan-2-ol with concentrated aqueous hbr goes with partial racemization, giving more inversion than retention of configuration. propose a mechanism that accounts for racemization with excess inversion. (b) under the same conditions, an optically active sample of trans-2-bromocyclopentanol reacts with concentrated aqueous hbr to give an optically inactive product, (racemic) trans-1,2- dibromocyclopentane. propose a mechanism to show how this reaction goes with apparently complete retention of configuration, yet with racemization.

explanation:

two years ago, when picking flowers in the mountains back of yosemite valley, i found a book. it was blotted and storm-beaten; all of its outer pages were mealy and crumbly. the paper seemed to dissolve like the snow beneath which it had been buried, however; many of the inner pages were well preserved. and although all were more or less stained and torn, whole chapters were easily readable. this is the condition of the great open book of yosemite glaciers today; its granite pages have been torn and blurred by the same storms that wasted the castaway book.

two years ago, when picking flowers in the mountains back of yosemite valley; i found a book. it was blotted and storm-beaten, all of its outer pages were mealy and crumbly. the paper seemed to dissolve like the snow beneath which it had been buried, however, many of the inner pages were well preserved. and although all were more or less stained and torn; whole chapters were easily readable. this is the condition of the great open book of yosemite glaciers today, its granite pages have been torn and blurred by the same storms that wasted the castaway book.