What type of reaction occurs when 2-bromobutane reacts with sodium ethoxide?
Practice Questions
Q1
What type of reaction occurs when 2-bromobutane reacts with sodium ethoxide?
SN1
SN2
E1
E2
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What type of reaction occurs when 2-bromobutane reacts with sodium ethoxide?
Step 1: Identify the reactants. We have 2-bromobutane, which is an alkyl halide, and sodium ethoxide, which is a strong base.
Step 2: Understand the type of reaction. Sodium ethoxide can remove a hydrogen atom from 2-bromobutane, leading to the elimination of a bromine atom.
Step 3: Recognize the mechanism. This process occurs in a single step where the base (sodium ethoxide) abstracts a proton (H) from the carbon adjacent to the carbon with the bromine, while the bromine leaves, forming a double bond.
Step 4: Conclude the product. The result of this elimination is the formation of an alkene, specifically butene.