reaction of PCl5 with alcohol [closed]








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I am able to think of two possible mechanisms for alcohol+PCl5 here, SN1 and SN2. In SN1, Inversion won't occur whereas, in SN2 inversion will occur. Which of the two is correct?




Reaction of PCl5 with alcohols leads to inversion. This was demonstrated with Malic Acid by Walden - so the process is sometimes referred to as Walden inversion.
See discussion [here](https://www.masterorganicchemistry.com/2014/02/10/socl2-and-the-sni-mechanism/) or [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_inversion)


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