Shared flowchart

Chemistry · L4 · E1 vs E2: reading the pathway from substrate, base, and solvent

Decision flowchart for choosing between E1 and E2 elimination based on substrate class, base strength/bulk, and solvent — and the Zaitsev product each pathway usually gives.

by @openstemUpdated Chemistry
Alkyl halide + basewhich elimination pathway?Substrate class?E2 only(1° carbocation toounstable for E1)Base strengthand solvent?E1 pathwaycarbocation intermediaterate = k[substrate]E2 pathwayconcerted, anti-periplanarrate = k[substrate][base]Zaitsev product(more substituted alkene)Zaitsev product(Hofmann only if baseis very bulky)PrimarySecondary or tertiaryWeak base, polar protic solventStrong, bulky base (e.g. tert-butoxide)

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