E2 Reactions and Bulky Bases Hoffmann vs Zaitsev Products in E2 Reactions. Help me with Org. Chem!

The E2 reaction delivers alkene products. A reaction that follows an E2 mechanism becomes interesting when two different alkenes can be formed depending on the size of the base employed. In deed, an alkene that is the most substituted is called the Zaitsev product and is generally the most stable alkene to form. The Hoffmann product is the alkene that is the least substituted and is generally less stable than the more substituted alkene. If a chemist wanted to produce the more substituted alkene as the major product they should use a small (non bulky) base. If a chemist wanted to produce the Hoffmann product they should use a large (bulky) base.

The E2 mechanism is second order. This means that the base and the substrate exist together in the transition state of the rate determining step.

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This video is part of a series called How to be Successful in Organic Chemistry. In this series I go over numerous problems that a student could expect to see in there organic chemistry 1 course. Doing organic chemistry practice problems will make you more successful in organic chemistry and biochemistry.

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