`Ph-overset(Me)overset(|)underset(H)underset(|)(C)-OH overset(SOCl_(2))underset("in" C_(5)H_(5)N)rarr`, Which statement is true for the above reaction?

Options

A. Retention of configuration
B. Inversion of configuration
C. Inversion and Retention both
D. None

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reaction of a secondary alcohol with SOCl₂ in the presence of pyridine (C₅H₅N), we can break down the steps as follows:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
The reactant is a secondary alcohol, specifically Ph-C(Me)(H)-OH (where Ph is a phenyl group).

2. **Identify the Reagent**:
The reagent used in the reaction is thionyl chloride (SOCl₂), which is commonly used to convert alcohols into alkyl chlorides.

3. **Identify the Base**:
The reaction is carried out in the presence of pyridine (C₅H₅N), which acts as a base and helps in the reaction mechanism.

4. **Mechanism of Reaction**:
The reaction proceeds via an SN2 mechanism. In this mechanism, the nucleophile (the chloride ion from SOCl₂) attacks the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl group (OH) from the opposite side of the leaving group (water in this case).

5. **Stereochemistry**:
One of the key features of the SN2 mechanism is that it results in an inversion of configuration at the carbon center where the substitution occurs. This means that if the original configuration was R, the product will be S, and vice versa.

6. **Product Formation**:
The product formed from this reaction will be Ph-C(Me)(H)-Cl (where the OH group has been replaced by Cl).

7. **Conclusion**:
The true statement regarding this reaction is that it results in an inversion of configuration due to the SN2 mechanism.

### Final Answer:
The correct statement about the reaction is that it involves **inversion of configuration**.

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