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When (R)-2-bromobutane reacts with NaOH via the **S$_N$2** mechanism, the product is:

A(R)-2-butanol (retention)
B(S)-2-butanol (Walden inversion at the chiral centre)
CRacemic mixture
DElimination product (1-butene)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. (S)-2-butanol (Walden inversion at the chiral centre)
S$_N$2 proceeds with **inversion** of configuration (Walden inversion) — OH⁻ attacks from the opposite side of Br, flipping the spatial arrangement. (R) → (S). S$_N$1 in contrast tends to racemise (planar carbocation intermediate).
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