Chemistry, asked by tvamshikiran18, 1 year ago

Why does alcoholic KOH prefer elimination whereas aqueous KOH prefers substitution?

Answers

Answered by mahmudurrahmana
2
The reason is quite straightforward-

OH−OHX− is a weak base and a stronger nucleophile specially under polar protic conditions. Hence substitution occurs.

RO−ROX− is a strong base owing to the inductive effect (+ I effect) of the R group. Hence under alcoholic conditions, RO−ROX− extracts the ββ hydrogen of the halides and gives an alkene.

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