When (R) -2-phenylpropanamide is treated with bromine and aqueous KOH , the major organic product formed is:

Step-by-step solution

The reaction of an amide with Br ₂ and KOH is the Hoffmann bromamide degradation, which yields a primary amine with one carbon atom less than the parent amide. During the mechanism, the migration of the alkyl group from the carbonyl carbon to the electron-deficient nitrogen atom occurs via a concerted step. This concerted migration proceeds with complete retention of configuration at the migrating chiral center. The reactant is (R) -2-phenylpropanamide. The chiral carbon is attached to - CONH ₂ , - C ₆ H ₅ , - CH ₃