1. SN2 reaction of an optically active haloalkane (e.g., 2- bromo-octane) is accompanied by inversion of configuration at the asymmetric center.
2. When 2-bromooctane is heated with sodium hydroxide, 2-octanol is formed with inversion of configuration. (-) 2-bromo-octane on heating with sodium hydroxide gives (+) 2-octanol is formed in which -OH group occupies a position opposite to what bromine had occupied in the optically active haloalkane.
