1-Chloro-4-isopropylcyclohexane exists as two stereoisomers: one cis and one trans. Treatment of either isomer with sodium ethoxide in ethanol gives 4-isopropylcyclohexene by an E2 reaction. 1- Chloro-4- isopropylcyclohexane 4-Isopropylcyclohexene CH3CH2O Na+ CH3CH2OH Cl The cis isomer undergoes E2 reaction several orders of magnitude faster than the trans isomer. How do you account for this experimental observation?
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Textbook Solutions for Organic Chemistry
Question
When cis-4-chlorocyclohexanol is treated with sodium hydroxide in ethanol, it gives mainly the substitution product trans-1,4-cyclohexanediol (1). Under the same reaction conditions, trans-4- chlorocyclohexanol gives 3-cyclohexenol (2) and the bicyclic ether (3). CH3CH2OH NaOH CH3CH2OH NaOH cis-4-Chlorocyclohexanol Cl OH trans-4-Chlorocyclohexanol Cl OH (1) OH OH (2) (3) OH 1 O (a) Propose a mechanism for formation of product (1), and account for its confi guration. (b) Propose a mechanism for formation of product (2). (c) Account for the fact that the bicyclic ether (3) is formed from the trans isomer but not from the cis isomer.
Solution
The first step in solving 9 problem number 46 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: When cis-4-chlorocyclohexanol is treated with sodium hydroxide in ethanol, it gives mainly the substitution product trans-1,4-cyclohexanediol (1). Under the same reaction conditions, trans-4- chlorocyclohexanol gives 3-cyclohexenol (2) and the bicyclic ether (3). CH3CH2OH NaOH CH3CH2OH NaOH cis-4-Chlorocyclohexanol Cl OH trans-4-Chlorocyclohexanol Cl OH (1) OH OH (2) (3) OH 1 O (a) Propose a mechanism for formation of product (1), and account for its confi guration. (b) Propose a mechanism for formation of product (2). (c) Account for the fact that the bicyclic ether (3) is formed from the trans isomer but not from the cis isomer.
From the textbook chapter Nucleophilic Substitution and b-Elimination you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
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