1. Substitution and Elimination Competing Reactions SN1 & SN2 vs
Substitution and Elimination Competing Reactions SN1 & SN2 vs. E1 and E2 Formation of Alkenes 2

2. Two Reaction Types b-elimination C X : – + + H Y H C Y : – + H X C X :
Alkyl halides can react with Lewis bases in two different ways; nucleophilic substitution or elimination.
b-elimination C X : – + + H Y H C Y : – + H X C X : – + Y
nucleophilic substitution 2

3. Two Reaction Types b-elimination C X : – + + H Y H C Y : – + H X C X :
How can we tell which reaction pathway is followed for a particular alkyl halide?
b-elimination C X : – + + H Y H C Y : – + H X C X : – + Y
nucleophilic substitution 2

4. Elimination versus Substitution
A systematic approach is to choose as a reference point the reaction followed by a typical alkyl halide (secondary) with a typical Lewis base (an alkoxide ion).
The major reaction of a secondary alkyl halide with an alkoxide ion is elimination by the E2 mechanism. 2

5. Example CH3CHCH3 Br NaOCH2CH3 ethanol, 55°C CH3CHCH3 OCH2CH3 +
(13%)
(87%) 4

6. Figure 1 E2
CH3CH2 O ••
• • – Br 5

8. The weaker the base, the better it is as a leaving group

9. Regioselectivity of the E2 Reaction
The major product of an E2 reaction is the most stable
alkene
The greater the number of substituents, the more stable
is the alkene

10. Reaction coordinate diagram for the E2 reaction of
2-bromobutane and methoxide ion

12. Figure 2
SN2
CH3CH2 O ••
• • – Br 5

13. When is substitution favored?
Given that the major reaction of a secondary alkyl halide with an alkoxide ion is elimination by the E2 mechanism, we can expect the proportion of substitution to increase with:
1) decreased crowding at the carbon that bears the leaving group 2

14. Uncrowded Alkyl Halides
Decreased crowding at carbon that bears the leaving group increases substitution relative to elimination.
primary alkyl halide
CH3CH2CH2Br
NaOCH2CH3
ethanol, 55°C
CH3CH2CH2OCH2CH3 +
CH3CH=CH2
(91%)
(9%) 8

15. primary alkyl halide + bulky base
But a crowded alkoxide base can favor elimination even with a primary alkyl halide.
primary alkyl halide + bulky base
CH3(CH2)15CH2CH2Br
KOC(CH3)3
tert-butyl alcohol, 40°C
CH3(CH2)15CH2CH2OC(CH3)3 +
CH3(CH2)15CH=CH2
(13%)
(87%) 9

16. When is substitution favored?
Given that the major reaction of a secondary alkyl halide with an alkoxide ion is elimination by the E2 mechanism, we can expect the proportion of substitution to increase with:
1) decreased crowding at the carbon that bears the leaving group
2) decreased basicity of the nucleophile 2

17. Weakly Basic Nucleophile
Weakly basic nucleophile increases substitution relative to elimination
secondary alkyl halide + weakly basic nucleophile
CH3CH(CH2)5CH3 Cl
KCN
pKa (HCN) = 9.1
DMSO
CH3CH(CH2)5CH3 CN
(70%) 10

18. Weakly Basic Nucleophile
Weakly basic nucleophile increases substitution relative to elimination
secondary alkyl halide + weakly basic nucleophile I
NaN3
pKa (HN3) = 4.6 N3
(75%) 10

19. Tertiary Alkyl Halides
Tertiary alkyl halides are so sterically hindered that elimination is the major reaction with all anionic nucleophiles. Only in solvolysis reactions does substitution predominate over elimination with tertiary alkyl halides. 2

20. 2M sodium ethoxide in ethanol, 25°C 1% 99%
(CH3)2CCH2CH3 Br
Example
CH3CCH2CH3
OCH2CH3
CH3
CH2=CCH2CH3
CH3
CH3C=CHCH3
CH3 + +
ethanol, 25°C
64%
36%
2M sodium ethoxide in ethanol, 25°C 1%
99% 12

21. Putting things together: Elimination vs. Substitution1