E2 Mechanism: Concerted Elimination and the Anti‑Periplanar Rule

Master E2 elimination with an interactive mechanism scrubber: concerted deprotonation, anti‑periplanar geometry, and predicting Zaitsev vs Hofmann products. Includes practice + traps.

  • Key idea: One concerted step; no carbocation → no rearrangements.
  • Requirements: Strong base + good leaving group + β‑H available
  • Geometry rule: β‑H and leaving group must be anti‑periplanar
  • Regiochemistry: Often Zaitsev; bulky base can give Hofmann
  • Competition: Competes with SN2 (esp. 2° substrates)
  • Exam type: Choose the mechanism
  • Exam type: Predict the major product
  • Exam type: Regiochemistry

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