What would occur to an alkyl halide upon treatment with #K^(+)""^(-)OBu^(t)#?

1 Answer
Dec 5, 2016

An #"elimination reaction"# would be the typical result.

Explanation:

#RH_2C-CBrR' + K^(+)""^(-)OBu^trarrRHC=CHR' + KBr(s)darr + HOBu^t#

In general, this use of a fairly bulky base gives the #"anti-Markownikow"# olefin; i.e. the least substituted olefin. The precipitation of an inorganic salt provides a thermodynamic driving force to the reaction. For more details you will have to consult your organic chemistry text.