Time to discuss the most complicated mechanism of the bunch, E2. It’s an awesome reaction, but there are a few extra details we’re gonna have to keep track of!
Concept #1: Drawing the E2 Mechanism.
Summary: A negatively charged nucleophile reacts with an inaccessible leaving group to produce beta-elimination in one-step.
Concept #2: Understanding the properties of E2.
Properties of E2 reactions:
- Nucleophile = Strong
- Leaving Group = Substituted
- Reaction coordinate = Transition State
- Reaction = Concerted
- Rate = Bimolecular
- Rate = k[Nu][RX]
- Stereochemistry = Anti-Coplanar
Example #1: Rank the following alkyl halides in order of reactivity toward E2 reaction.
