Question

Predict all the alkenes that would be formed by dehydrohalogenation of the following halides with sodium ethoxide in ethanol and identify the major alkene:

(i) 1-Bromo-1-methylcyclohexane

(ii) 2-Chloro-2-methylbutane

(iii) 2,2,3-Trimethyl-3-bromopentane.

Answer 1

(i)

1−bromo−1−methylcyclohexane

In the given compound, all β-hydrogen atoms are equivalent. Thus, dehydrohalogenation of this compound gives only one alkene.

(ii)

In the given compound, there are two different sets of equivalent β-hydrogen atoms labelled as a and b. Thus, dehydrohalogenation of the compound yields two alkenes.

Saytzeff’s rule implies that in dehydrohalogenation reactions, the alkene having a greater number of alkyl groups attached to a doubly bonded carbon atoms is preferably produced.

Therefore, alkene (I) i.e., 2-methylbut-2-ene is the major product in this reaction.

(iii)

2,2,3-Trimethyl-3-bromopentane

In the given compound, there are two different sets of equivalent β-hydrogen atoms labelled as a and b. Thus, dehydrohalogenation of the compound yields two alkenes.

According to Saytzeff’s rule, in dehydrohalogenation reactions, the alkene having a greater number of alkyl groups attached to the doubly bonded carbon atom is preferably formed.

Hence, alkene (I) i.e., 3,4,4-trimethylpent-2-ene is the major product in this reaction.