[anna.kolinski]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone could confirm the stereochemical outcome of the reaction that I have attached.

As shown in the attachment, I have drawn the product so that the phenyl and Et groups are trans to each other. My reasoning is that they are large groups so they go trans due to steric repulsion.

Is this (and my reasoning) correct?

Any help much appreciated

[hairygorillaz]

I suspect the outcome is correct but the rationale has some holes.

Think about the attack of the enolate on the R-Br. Why would one face of the enolate be more accessible than the other?

[anna.kolinski]

Is it because only the trans enolate can form, and therefore only the anti face of the enolate is accessible?

Thank you very much for your reply