Question

Which isomer of 1-bromo-2-tert-butylcyclohexane reacts faster when refluxed with potassium tert-butoxide?Draw the structure of the expected major product from the faster reacting compound.

Answer 1

Answer:

See explanation and image attached

Explanation:

The reaction of 1-bromo-2-tert-butylcyclohexane with  potassium tert-butoxide is an elimination reaction that occurs by E2 mechanism.

The E2 reaction proceeds faster when the hydrogens are in an antiperiplanar position at an angle of 180 degrees.

This is only attainable in the trans isomer of 1-bromo-2-tert-butylcyclohexane. Hence trans 1-bromo-2-tert-butylcyclohexane reacts faster with potassium tert-butoxide