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(S)-(-)-2-Methyl-1-butanol can be converted to (+)-2-methylbutanoic acid without breaking any of the bonds to the asymmetric carbon. What is the configuration of (-)-2-methylbutanoic acid? SOLUTION We know that ( + )-2-methylbutanoic acid has the relative configuration shown because it was formed from ( $S$ )-(-)-2-methyl-1-butanol without breaking any bonds to the asymmetric carbon. Therefore, we know that ( $+$ )-2-methylbutanoic acid has the $S$ configuration. We can conclude then that $(-)-2$ -methylbutanoic acid has the $R$ configuration.

          (S)-(-)-2-Methyl-1-butanol can be converted to (+)-2-methylbutanoic acid without breaking any of the bonds to the asymmetric carbon. What is the configuration of (-)-2-methylbutanoic acid?
SOLUTION We know that ( + )-2-methylbutanoic acid has the relative configuration shown because it was formed from ( $S$ )-(-)-2-methyl-1-butanol without breaking any bonds to the asymmetric carbon. Therefore, we know that ( $+$ )-2-methylbutanoic acid has the $S$ configuration. We can conclude then that $(-)-2$ -methylbutanoic acid has the $R$ configuration.

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