Reaction MechanismhardNUMERICAL

Consider an extreme form of elimination where both the abstractable proton and the departing leavingReaction Mechanism Chemistry Question

Question

Consider an extreme form of elimination where both the abstractable proton and the departing leaving group are removed from the exact same carbon atom, generating a reactive carbene intermediate. This pattern is technically referred to as a $1,n$ -elimination. What integer corresponds to the value of $n$?

Answer: 1

💡 Solution & Explanation

In standard elimination terminology, numbers dictate the relative positions of the leaving atoms. $\beta$ -elimination removes atoms from adjacent carbons (1,2-elimination). When a base removes a proton and a leaving group departs from the very same original carbon atom (as in chloroform forming dichlorocarbene), the process is known as an $\alpha$ -elimination or a 1,1-elimination. Therefore, the value of $n$ is 1.

💬
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes
Ask on WhatsApp →

Practice 22,000+ questions like this

AI-adaptive practice, video lectures, and full IChO (Chemistry Olympiad) content — all in one place.

JEE Advanced · JEE Mains · NEET · IChO · AP Chemistry