The reaction of chloroform () with a strong base (such as or ) proceeds via an -elimination mechanis — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The base abstracts the acidic proton from chloroform to form $CCl_3^-$, which rapidly loses a chloride ion ($Cl^-$) in an $\alpha$ -elimination step to generate the neutral, electron-deficient electrophile, dichlorocarbene ($:CCl_2$).