Zaitsev's rule predicts that in an elimination reaction, the more substituted alkene will be the major product due to its greater stability. This rule applies primarily to E1 and E2 reactions, where the formation of the double bond follows the path of least steric hindrance and highest hyperconjugation and resonance stabilization.

Zaitsev's Rule

Zaitsev's rule

An elimination reaction is a type of organic reaction where two substituents are removed from a molecule, typically resulting in the formation of a double bond or a ring structure. This reaction often involves the loss of a small molecule such as water or hydrogen halide and is a fundamental mechanism in organic synthesis and biochemistry.

elimination reaction

more substituted alkene

major product

greater stability

E1 reactions

E2 reactions

formation of the double bond

least steric hindrance

highest hyperconjugation

Resonance stabilization refers to the delocalization of electrons across adjacent atoms in a molecule, which results in increased stability of the molecule. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding the behavior of many organic compounds and is often depicted using resonance structures that illustrate the different possible distributions of electrons.

resonance stabilization

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