If pyridine is added to the reaction of 2-butanol with , what is the new mechanism and stereochemica — Reaction Mechanism Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Pyridine neutralizes the $HCl$ byproduct, freeing the $Cl^-$ ion to act as an external nucleophile. It performs a backside attack, switching the mechanism to $S_N2$ (Inversion).