Reaction Kinetics

[Mushrooomboy]

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Does anyone know why the rate of Br incorporation is only half the rate of racemization?

 

[Teleologist]

Does anyone know why the rate of Br incorporation is only half the rate of racemization?

Because you don't have racemization without having equal concentrations of both enantiomers. Break it down to the micro level.

You have two molecules.

Br*- attacks one. Inversion and incorporation occurs. You now have a racemic mixture of two molecules.

However, for full incorporation, obviously we need to attack the remaining molecule.

That's it.