Basics of E1
What does the "E" in E1 stand for?
Elimination
What happens first in an E1 reaction?
The leaving group leaves, forming a carbocation.
Does E1 require a strong or weak base?
Weak base
What makes a carbocation more stable?
More alkyl groups (like 3° > 2° > 1°)
What type of product is favored in E1: Zaitsev or Hofmann?
Zaitsev (more substituted alkene)
How many steps are in an E1 reaction?
Two
What happens in the second step of an E1 reaction?
A base removes a β-hydrogen to form a double bond.
What kind of solvent favors E1 reactions?
Polar protic solvent (like water or alcohol)
What rearrangement can happen to make a carbocation more stable?
Hydride shift or methyl shift
Does E1 usually form one or multiple products?
It can form multiple, but the major one is usually Zaitse
What does the "1" in E1 refer to?
This means that the rate depends on one molecule.
What is the name of the intermediate formed in an E1 reaction?
Carbocation
Which type of substrate is most likely to undergo E1: 1°, 2°, or 3°?
3°
Why can rearrangement happen during an E1 reaction?
Because the carbocation can be rearranged to become more stable before elimination occurs.
How can you tell E1 occurred instead of SN1?
An alkene is formed instead of a substitution product.