What is the major product of the reaction of 1-bromobutane with sodium ethoxide

What is the major product of the reaction of 1-bromobutane with sodium ethoxide in ethanol?

What is the major product of the reaction of 1-bromobutane with sodium ethoxide in ethanol?

Step 1: Identify the reactants. We have 1-bromobutane (a primary alkyl halide) and sodium ethoxide (a strong base) in ethanol (a solvent).
Step 2: Recognize that sodium ethoxide can act as a base and will promote elimination reactions.
Step 3: Understand that the elimination reaction follows the E2 mechanism because we have a strong base and a primary alkyl halide.
Step 4: In the E2 mechanism, the base (sodium ethoxide) abstracts a proton (H) from the carbon adjacent to the carbon bonded to the bromine (the leaving group).
Step 5: As the base removes the proton, the bromine leaves, resulting in the formation of a double bond between the two carbons.
Step 6: Determine the possible products. The elimination of HBr from 1-bromobutane can lead to the formation of 2-butene.
Step 7: Identify that 2-butene can exist in two isomeric forms: cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene. However, trans-2-butene is generally more stable and is often the major product.
Step 8: Conclude that the major product of the reaction is 2-butene, specifically trans-2-butene.

No concepts available.