Question

When 2-bromobutane reacts with potassium tert-butoxide, identify the major product.

Answer 1

The major product of the reaction between 2-bromobutane and potassium tert-butoxide is 2-butene.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major product when 2-bromobutane reacts with potassium tert-butoxide is 2-butene.

This reaction is called an elimination reaction, specifically an E2 mechanism. In this reaction, the tert-butoxide ion acts as a base and abstracts a proton from the carbon adjacent to the bromine, resulting in the formation of a double bond. The bromine is then lost as a bromide ion.

Here is the balanced chemical equation:

2-bromobutane + potassium tert-butoxide → 2-butene + potassium bromide