Elimination Reactions

Conversion of 2-Bromobutane to But-2-ene

To convert 2-bromobutane into but-2-ene, an elimination reaction (E2 mechanism) is used. This reaction requires a strong base like potassium hydroxide (KOH).

In the E2 reaction, the base abstracts a proton from the β-carbon (the carbon adjacent to the one bonded to the bromine), and the bromine atom leaves simultaneously, resulting in the formation of a double bond (alkene).

Reaction Equation:

Product: But-2-ene (major product due to Zaitsev’s rule, which favors the more substituted alkene).