Elimination Reaction
A reaction in which two substituents are removed from adjacent atoms, generating a multiple bond.
Formula / equation
R–CH₂–CHX–R → R–CH=CH–R + HX
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Elimination is the reverse of addition and typically needs a strong base or high temperature. It competes directly with substitution, with bulky bases, high temperature and hindered substrates all favouring elimination. Zaitsev's rule predicts that the more substituted alkene usually predominates.
Examples in the real world
Heating 2-bromobutane with alcoholic KOH gives but-2-ene as the major product.