An alkyl halide with beta-hydrogen atoms when reacted with a base or a nucleophile has two competing routes: substitution (S_(N)1 and S_(N)2) and elimination. Which route will be taken up depends upon the nature of the alkyl halide, strength and size of the base/nucleophile and reaction conditions. thus, bulkier nucleophile prefers to act as a base and abstracts a proton rather than approaching a tetravalent carbon atom (steric reaction) and vice-versa. Q. 2-Bromopentane is heated with potassium in ethanol. the major product obtained is

An alkyl halide with beta-hydrogen atoms when reacted with a base or a

1.	An alkyl halide with beta-hydrogen atoms when reacted with a base or a nucleophile has two competing routes: substitution (S_(N)1 and S_(N)2) and elimination. Which route will be taken up depends upon the nature of the alkyl halide, strength and size of the base/nucleophile and reaction conditions. thus, bulkier nucleophile prefers to act as a base and abstracts a proton rather than approaching a tetravalent carbon atom (steric reaction) and vice-versa. Q. 2-Bromopentane is heated with potassium in ethanol. the major product obtained is
Answer» 2-Ethoxypentane Pentane-1- cis-Pentene-2 trans-Pentene-2 Solution :Heating with alc. `C_(2)H_(5)OK` brings about dehydrobromination to give trans-pentene-2 as the major PRODUCT.