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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Identify the statement that is incorrect regarding chirality:

A

A racemic mixture shows zero optical rotation

B

SN1\text{S}_\text{N}1 reaction yields a 1:1 mixture of both enantiomers

C

The product obtained by SN2\text{S}_\text{N}2 reaction of haloalkane having chirality at the reactive site shows the inversion of configuration

D

Enantiomers are superimposable mirror images on each other

Step-by-Step Solution

The incorrect statement is that enantiomers are superimposable mirror images. By definition, the stereoisomers related to each other as non-superimposable mirror images are called enantiomers . The other statements are correct:

  1. A racemic mixture contains equal proportions of two enantiomers, so the optical rotation of one isomer is cancelled by the other, resulting in zero optical rotation .
  2. In an SN1\text{S}_\text{N}1 reaction, the intermediate carbocation is planar, allowing nucleophilic attack from either face, which results in racemisation (a 1:1 mixture of enantiomers) .
  3. An SN2\text{S}_\text{N}2 reaction proceeds with the nucleophile attacking from the side opposite to the leaving group, resulting in an inversion of configuration .
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