Identify the mechanistic pathways, respectively, for the products in the following reaction.
A. E1, SN1
B. E1, SN2
C. E2, SN1
D. E2, SN2
Solution: The first product has a double bond which means it must have been created by the elimination reaction. E2 happens when there is a strong base and E1 happens with a very weak nucleophile. CH3ONa is a strong base, since we have Na+ and CH3O-. RO- is a strong base. We must have E2. Also our substrate is primary which means there should be SN2 reaction for the second product. Choice D is correct.
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