Question

Draw the mechanism for the E2 reaction of the molecule below with -OEt. What's the major product? Is it fast or slow?

a) *Bold: No text requires bolding in this question.*
b) ( textCH_3 )
c) ( textC_2textH_5 )
d) ( textCH_3textCequivtextCH )

Answer 1

The E2 reaction involves a concerted transfer of electron pairs and results in the formation of a double bond. The major product is determined by stability and follows Zaitsev's rule. The reaction rate depends on steric hindrance and the strength of the base.

Step-by-step explanation:

The E2 reaction involves a concerted transfer of a set of electron pairs from the base to the more electronegative group, resulting in the formation of a double bond and the leaving of an anion. In this case, the molecule reacts with -OEt to undergo an E2 reaction. The major product will be the one that forms the most stable double bond and follows Zaitsev's rule, which states that the more substituted alkene is the major product. The reaction will be fast if there is less steric hindrance and a strong base is used.