Predict all the alkenes that would be formed by dihydrohalogenation of the following halides with sodium ethoxide in ethanol and identify the major alkene:
2-Chloro-2-methylbutane
In the given compound, there are two different sets of equivalent b -hydrogen atoms. Thus, dehydrohalogenation of the compound yields two alkenes.
Saytzeff’s rule implies that in dehydrohalogenation reaction, the alkene having a greater number of alkyl groups attached to doubly bonded carbon atoms is preferably produced.
Thus, 2methylbut-2-ene is the major product in this reaction.