[owlpower]

Between 1 and 2, which favours E2 elimination better?




My thoughts:
https://imgur.com/XNMSRQp

For E2, Br and H needs to be trans-diaxial, thus molecule D will be
most likely to undergo E2 elimination.

However, there are 2 ways of elimination of D, resulting in 2 products. Which product will be the major product?
I think it should be a 50-50 mixture as both products are disubstituted.

[clarkstill]

Everything you've said is correct.

Since the molecules undergoing elimination have mirror symmetry, elimination will happen equally on one side of the leaving group and the the other, giving a racemic (50/50) mixture of products.

Good work!