1. Write a mechanism for the bromination reaction of trans-cinnamic acid to form erythro-2,3-dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic acid. You may use Br2 rather than pyridinium bromide perbromide as the brominating reagent. Be as complete as possible and show electron flow for all steps. You should indicate clearly the mechanistic pathways that lead to each of the enantiomeric products formed in the reaction and designate all stereocenters accurately. Label both stereocenters (R or S) in each final product.
2. This reaction produces erythro-2,3-dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic acid as a mixture of two enantiomers (see Question 1 for the mechanism).
a) What is the ratio of the enantiomeric products?
b) What name is given to a mixture of enantiomers present in the ratio determined in part (a)?