0 votes
24 views
in Organic Chemistry by (310 points)
What is the major product formed when 2-methylcyclohexanol is treated with strong base (such as sodium ethoxide) in an elimination reaction? Draw the mechanism and provide a brief explanation for the product formation.

1 Answer

0 votes
by (470 points)
In an elimination reaction involving 2-methylcyclohexanol and a strong base like sodium ethoxide, the major product formed is 1-methylcyclohexene. The mechanism for this reaction is as follows:1. Deprotonation: The strong base  sodium ethoxide  abstracts a proton from the -carbon  carbon adjacent to the alcohol group  of 2-methylcyclohexanol. This forms an alkoxide intermediate and a sodium ion.2. Formation of the double bond: The alkoxide intermediate undergoes an intramolecular reaction, with the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom forming a double bond with the -carbon. Simultaneously, the carbon-oxygen bond breaks, and the electrons are transferred to the oxygen atom, resulting in the formation of 1-methylcyclohexene and a hydroxide ion.The major product, 1-methylcyclohexene, is formed due to Zaitsev's rule, which states that the more substituted alkene  the one with more alkyl groups attached to the double bond  will be the major product in an elimination reaction. In this case, 1-methylcyclohexene is more substituted than the alternative product, cyclohexene, and therefore is the major product.
Welcome to Sarvan Science Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...