Answer to Question #129144 in Organic Chemistry for Hardy

Question

Show that the (S,S) enantiomer of this (R,R) diastereomer of 1-bromo-1,2-diphenylpropane also undergoes E2 elimination to give the cis diastereomer of the product. (We do not expect these achiral reagents to distinguish between enantiomers.)

Answer 1

Treatment of the (R,R) and (S,S) diastereomers of 1-bromo-1,2-diphenylpropane with sodium ethoxide in ethanol both gives cis diastereomer of 1,2-diphenylpropene: