E1

Introduction

The E1 mechanism is an elimination reaction , hence the E. The 1 stands for unimolecular.

Reagents/Reaction Conditions

Substrate: 3˚>2˚>>1˚, allylic and benzylic

Solvent: polar protic is best.

Weak base

Neutral to acidic

Heat

3D Sense

Regioselectivity: Zaitsev major

Stereoselectivity: trans major

Mechanism

There are two core steps (in bold) and two other possible steps in an E1 reaction:

  1. Proton transfer

  2. Loss of leaving group

  3. Carbocation rearrangement

  4. Proton transfer

The slow (rate-determining step) is the loss of the leaving group, which only has one reactant (the substrate), hence the unimolecular in the reaction name.

The reaction of tert-butyl alcohol with concentrated H2SO4 (aq.) and heat

This reaction has the following steps:

  1. Proton transfer

  2. Loss of leaving group

  3. Proton transfer