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Sage
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posted by  The VC on 11/10/2007 11:28:31 AM  |  status: Live  

Changing the Base in E1 Reaction

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Organic Chemistry WORKSHEET N/A N/A
Question Details:
Hi,
 
I was wondering if somebody could help me out with this problem which says:
 
"Why does changing the base have no effect on the rate of an E1 reaction while it does affect the rate of an E2 reaction?"
 
I would appreciate any help I can get on this problem!
 
Sincerely,
 
Andrew
The VC
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Mentor
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(Houghton College)
posted by ktqu on 11/10/2007 2:03:31 PM  |  status: Live
Asker's Rating: Helpful   
The VC's comment:
"Thank you very much for your time and effort in explaining this concept! I appreciate it! =)"
Response Details:
E1 is a unimolecular reaction, so the rate is dependent only on the starting material and not on the base because of the formation of the carbocation intermediate. Rate = k[R-X]
E2 is a bimolecular reaction in which the nucleophile must act as a base. If a strong base is added, the kinetics change so that the rate becomes dependent on the alkyl halide and the nucleophile acting as a base because there is no carbocation intermediate. Rate = k[R-X][Nu-].
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