Question

Which of the following alkyl halides will afford the product below as the major product in an E2 reaction?

a. CH3CH_2Br
b. (CH3)3CBr
c. CH3CH_2CH_2Br
d. CH3CH_2CH_2CH_2Br

Answer 1

In an E2 reaction, the more substituted the alkene, the more stable it is and likely to be the major product. Option (b) (CH₃)₃CBR, a tertiary alkyl halide, will afford the desired product as the major product in an E2 reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an E2 reaction, the major product is formed by the elimination of a hydrogen atom and a leaving group from the reactant molecule. The rate of elimination depends on the stability of the resulting alkene. Generally, the more substituted the alkene, the more stable it is, and therefore more likely to be the major product in an E2 reaction.

Looking at the given options, (b) (CH₃)₃CBR is a tertiary alkyl halide, which means it is highly substituted and should yield the major product in an E2 reaction. Therefore, option (b) will afford the desired product as the major product in an E2 reaction.