The Product of the reaction of bromine with E-stilbene is optically inactive yet it has stereogenic centers. Why?
1 Answer
Because when a trans -olefin is brominated, the bromines are added from opposite sides; a meso (
Explanation:
When an olefin is brominated, the bromine atoms are presumed to add from opposite faces of the olefin (the first
On the other hand, when the cis olefin is brominated, this attack from opposite faces leads to
You should do the bromination with simple models in order to satisfy yourself that this explanation accounts for the observed stereochemistry.