Additional evidence for the stereospecific nature of the conversion of a-haloamides to gem- dihalides was gained by the isolation of an opticall!-active geni-dihalide from an opticallp active a-haloamide. Da-Chloroliydrocinnamarnide,[a] 2 5~+ 1 l. Oo, was dissolved in alkaline sodium hypobromite and steam distilled to yield~-gem-diIialide, a Z 5~-0.065', deterrnirietl as a neat liquid with DL-gem-dihalide as reference. Similarly,~-a-chloroh~ drr) ...
