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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3o4271

The halide shown (axial bromine in the reactive chair) is treated with sodium azide in DMF, a good nucleophile that is only weakly basic. Which structure is the major product?

  1. AStructure A
  2. BStructure B
  3. CStructure C
  4. DStructure D

Answer: D

The compound is cis-1-bromo-4-methylcyclohexane. Azide is a weak base but a good nucleophile in a polar aprotic solvent, so SN2 outcompetes E2 on this secondary halide. Backside attack inverts the carbon bearing bromine, so the cis halide gives the trans-azide, trans-1-azido-4-methylcyclohexane, not the cis product (retention) or 4-methylcyclohexene.
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