The optically active compound (X)

on treatment with `NaNO_(2)//HCl` gives

Options

A. `1^(@)` alcohol with retention of configuration
B. `2^(@)` alcohol with inversion of configuration
C. racemic mixture of `2^(@)` alcohols
D. racemic mixture of `1^(@)` alcohols

Answer

C

Explanation

Since carbocations are planar species, therefore nucleophilic attach by `H_(2)O` gives a racemic mixture of `2^(@)` alcohols.