Question

Propylene oxide can be converted to 1,2-propanediol by the action of either dilute acid or base. When optically active propylene oxide is used, the 1,2-diol obtained from the acid hydrolysis has an optical rotation opposite from the alkaline hydrolysis. Write the mechanism of each hydrolysis that is likely to explain these facts.

Answer 1

This board does not accommodate drawings; therefore, mechanisms are not possible.