It will accurately show the change in configuration. However it will not accurately predict whether R is converted into S. I recommend doing this yourself on the substitution product.
]]>Obviously some thought has to go into it when applying it for SN2 reactions. The SN2 reaction will always invert stereochemistry, but it will not always convert R to S (or vice versa).
]]>This is because you used the other hand. The thumb rule works for only one hand – either left or right. If you use the other hand, the REVERSE is true. Hope you get what I’m saying.
I’m yet to go through this topic so couldn’t really tell you which hand is this particular direction true for. [This is similar to determining the direction of cross product of two vectors]
Thanks
]]>Fixed. Thanks for letting me know.
]]>I also just noticed that the Newman projection molecule on the left (just to the right of the two tartaric acid molecules) should have S configuration instead! When I converted the Newman projection to line-wedge drawing, the H is on a wedge, while OH is on a dashed bond. So I think that the real configuration should be reversed to S!
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