E2 Reaction
A single-step elimination in which a base removes a proton as the leaving group departs, forming a double bond.
Formula / equation
rate = k[substrate][base]
Unit
L/(mol·s)
In depth
The reaction is concerted and requires the hydrogen and leaving group to be anti-periplanar, which makes the stereochemistry of the product predictable. Strong bulky bases and high temperature favour E2 over the competing SN2 pathway.
Examples in the real world
2-bromobutane with hot ethanolic potassium hydroxide giving but-2-ene as the major product.