Sapling Learning - Chapter 10 -- Question 21

Sapling Learning -- Ch 10 – Question 21

(a)               The reaction goes from an alkane to an alkene it must be an elimination reaction. To decide between E1 and E2, look at the base. The base used is tert-butoxide, which is a strong base. Thus E2 is favored.

(b)               The reaction goes from an alkyl halide to an ether, so it must be a substitution reaction. Since the base used is THF, a polar aprotic solvent, S_N2 is favored.

(c)                The reaction goes from an alcohol to an ether, it is also a substitution reaction. The base used is a relatively weak alcohol, so S_N1 is favored.