Question

Which of the following alkyl halides can produce only a single alkene product when treated with sodium methoxide?

• A. 2-chloro-2-methyl pentane
• B. 3-chloro-3-ethyl pentane
• C. 3-chloro-2-methyl pentane
• D. 2-chloro-4-methyl pentane

Answer 1

The correct option is B 3-chloro-3-ethyl pentane

In the above reaction of 3-chloro-3-ethyl pentane, all $\beta -H$ are equivalent. Hence, a single alkene is formed in E2 reaction