Elimination Reactions (E1 & E2)
E2 and E1 mechanisms, Zaitsev vs Hofmann products, and substitution vs elimination competition
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➡️ Elimination Reactions
Learn E2 (anti-periplanar, concerted) and E1 (carbocation intermediate) mechanisms. Understand Zaitsev's rule, Hofmann products with bulky bases, and the SN1/SN2/E1/E2 decision framework.
📚 Practice Problems
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❓ Question:
Predict the major alkene product when (a) 2-bromo-2,3-dimethylbutane is treated with NaOEt / EtOH, and (b) the same substrate is treated with potassium tert-butoxide / t-BuOH. Explain the difference using Zaitsev vs Hofmann selectivity.
💡 Show Solution
(a) NaOEt (small base) — Zaitsev product. E2 elimination preferentially removes the β-H that gives the more substituted (more stable) alkene: 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene (tetrasubstituted).
(b) KOtBu (bulky base) — Hofmann product. The bulky base cannot easily access the more crowded internal β-Hs, so it removes a less hindered terminal-methyl β-H → 2,3-dimethylbut-1-ene (the less substituted alkene). This is the textbook bulky-base = Hofmann pattern.
⚠️ Common Mistakes: Elimination Reactions (E1 & E2)
Avoid these 3 frequent errors
🌍 Real-World Applications: Elimination Reactions (E1 & E2)
See how this math is used in the real world
📝 Worked Example: Stoichiometry — Limiting Reagent
mol of reacts with mol of . How many grams of water are produced? Which is the limiting reagent? ()
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