Alexander Zaitsev and his Rule
Me: Alexander Zaitsev, how are you?
AZ: I am fine, thank you for asking. I understand you are talking about elimination reactions in your class. Remember my rule when trying to figure out the major product: In an elimination reaction of a haloalkane, the alkene formed in greatest amount is the one that corresponds to removal of the hydrogen from the carbon having the fewest hydrogen substituents.
Me: That is pretty complicated, can you make that easier to understand please.
AZ: OK, how about this: When there is a choice during an elimination reaction, make the more stable alkene, in other words the product alkene that is more highly substituted. So remember, Zaitsev’s rule says: Make the more highly substituted alkene in an elimination reaction. Peace out from here.
