Predict the major and minor elimination products of the following proposed reactions (ignoring any possible substitutions for now). In each case, explain whether you expect the mechanism of the elimination to be E1 or E2.
(a)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Analyze the reaction conditions. The presence of NaOCH2CH3 (a strong base) and CH3CH2OH (a polar protic solvent) under heat suggests that the elimination mechanism is likely E2. E2 mechanisms are favored by strong bases and heat, and they occur in a single concerted step.
2. Step 2: Identify the substrate. The substrate is a secondary alkyl bromide. Secondary alkyl halides can undergo both E1 and E2 mechanisms, but the strong base and heat strongly favor E2.
3. Step 3: Determine the major and minor elimination products. In an E2 reaction, the base abstracts a proton from a β-carbon (a carbon adjacent to the carbon bonded to the leaving group). The major product is determined by Zaitsev's rule, which states that the more substituted alkene is favored. The minor product will be the less substituted alkene.
4. Step 4: Apply anti-periplanar geometry. In E2 reactions, the β-hydrogen and the leaving group (Br) must be anti-periplanar (opposite sides of the same plane). This stereoelectronic requirement influences which β-hydrogen is abstracted and thus the product distribution.
5. Step 5: Draw the major and minor products. The major product will be the more substituted alkene formed by elimination of a β-hydrogen from the carbon with more substituents. The minor product will be the less substituted alkene formed by elimination of a β-hydrogen from the less substituted β-carbon.

Key Concepts

Elimination Reactions

Elimination reactions involve the removal of a leaving group and a hydrogen atom from adjacent carbon atoms, resulting in the formation of a double bond. The two main types of elimination mechanisms are E1 and E2. E1 is a two-step process where the leaving group departs first, forming a carbocation, followed by deprotonation. E2 is a one-step concerted mechanism where the base abstracts a proton while the leaving group exits simultaneously.

E1 vs. E2 Mechanisms

The E1 mechanism is favored in polar protic solvents and with substrates that can stabilize carbocations, such as tertiary or allylic halides. In contrast, the E2 mechanism requires a strong base and is favored in polar aprotic solvents, typically involving primary or secondary substrates. The choice between E1 and E2 can significantly affect the product distribution and reaction rate.

Regioselectivity in Elimination

Regioselectivity refers to the preference for the formation of one constitutional isomer over another in a chemical reaction. In elimination reactions, this can lead to major and minor products based on the stability of the resulting alkenes. The more substituted alkene is generally favored due to greater stability, following Zaitsev's rule, while less substituted products may form under certain conditions, such as steric hindrance or the use of bulky bases.