In general, if during a reaction, no bond to the stereocentre is broken,
the product will have the same general configuration of groups
around the stereocentre as that of reactant Such a reaction is said
to proceed with retention of the configuration Consider as an
example, the reaction that takes place when (–)-2-methylbutan-1-ol
is heated with concentrated hydrochloric acid Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
It is important to note that configuration at a symmetric centre in
the reactant and product is same but the sign of optical rotation
has changed in the product