E1 reactions are regioselective and, just like in the E2 mechanism, the Zaitsev product predominates due to the higher stability of the more substituted alkene: Notice that in the reaction above, water was used as a weak base, … Read more
Let’s compare the following two Diels-Alder reactions: The first one is a reaction between a symmetrical diene and a dienophile and the second one is a reaction of an unsymmetrical diene and a dienophile. What is interesting here … Read more
Let’s state the objective of this post right away. We need to explain why the following reaction produces one of the alkenes as the major product: This preference for addition to alkenes was first explained by Markovnikov and … Read more
Zaitsev’s Rule Suppose you have this alkyl halide and need to determine all the products of an E2 reaction when it is treated with a strong base such as sodium ethoxide. Remember in E2 reactions, we’re first going … Read more
