Question

2-Phenylethylbromide when heated with NaOEt, elimination takes place. No deuterium exchange takes place when the reaction is carried out in C₂H₅OD solvent. The mechanism will be

(a) E1 elimination

(b) E2 elimination

(c) E1cB elimination

(d) E2 or E1cB

Answer 1

Correct option (b) E2 elimination

Explanation:

It is a primary bromide. So it will undergo elimination either by E2 or ElcB. Since there is no deuterium exchange in C₂H₅OD solvent,

C - H bond is not broken to form carbanion. Hence, the actual mechanism is E2 only.