Elimination (AQA A Level Chemistry)

• In an elimination reaction, a small molecule is removed leaving behind an alkene
• This is another reaction of halogenoalkanes
• The halogenoalkanes are heated with ethanolic sodium hydroxide causing the C-X bond to break heterolytically, forming a X^– ion and leaving an alkene as organic product
  • E.g. bromoethane reacts with ethanolic sodium hydroxide when heated to form ethene

Hydrogen bromide is eliminated to form ethene

Elimination Mechanism of 2-bromopropane with hydroxide ions