What stereoisomers do the following reactions form?
a.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Analyze the starting material. The given compound is a cyclopentanol with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a stereogenic center. The wedge and dash notation indicates the stereochemistry of the substituents.
2. Step 2: Examine the first reaction step. Phosphorus tribromide (PBr₃) in pyridine is used to convert the alcohol (-OH) group into a bromide (-Br) group. This reaction proceeds via an SN2 mechanism, which inverts the stereochemistry at the carbon center.
3. Step 3: Consider the second reaction step. Ethoxide ion (C₂H₅O⁻) acts as a nucleophile in an SN2 reaction with the bromide intermediate. This step also inverts the stereochemistry at the carbon center, resulting in a net retention of the original stereochemistry.
4. Step 4: Combine the stereochemical effects of both steps. Since both steps involve inversion of stereochemistry, the final product retains the original stereochemistry of the starting material.
5. Step 5: Conclude the stereoisomer formed. The final product is an ethoxy-substituted cyclopentane with the same stereochemistry as the starting material (wedge or dash orientation preserved).

Key Concepts

Stereoisomerism

Stereoisomerism refers to the phenomenon where compounds have the same molecular formula and connectivity of atoms but differ in the spatial arrangement of their atoms. This can lead to different physical and chemical properties. In organic chemistry, stereoisomers include enantiomers and diastereomers, which are crucial for understanding the behavior of chiral molecules in reactions.

Reactions of Alcohols

Alcohols can undergo various reactions, including substitution and elimination. In this case, the reaction of an alcohol with phosphorus tribromide (PBr3) converts the alcohol into a bromide, which can then participate in further reactions. Understanding the mechanism of these reactions is essential for predicting the stereochemical outcomes.

Nucleophilic Substitution Mechanisms

Nucleophilic substitution mechanisms, such as SN1 and SN2, describe how nucleophiles replace leaving groups in organic molecules. The choice of mechanism affects the stereochemistry of the product. For example, SN2 reactions lead to inversion of configuration, while SN1 reactions can result in racemization, making it important to analyze the reaction conditions to determine the stereoisomers formed.