[adinboy]

So I'm confused as to what exactly KOH does. I first though it debrominates and leaves an alkene but then I saw a reaction where it adds an -OH group. Here are the two reactions in question:


So what exactly is the role KOH?

[discodermolide]

What is the difference in the type of reaction KOH undergoes with the molecules concerned?

[adinboy]

Are you asking like if it is SN1 or SN2?

[discodermolide]

Yes something like that.

[AlphaScent]

besides sn1and sn2, which are substitution rreactions.  what are the other types of reactions that are either mono or bimolecular in determining the mechanism/rate??

[adinboy]

Well there's E1 and E2 and I believe this one would be an E2 meaning the C-H and C-X would break at the same time producing the alkene in a single step....but then the -OH addition I'm not sure

[discodermolide]

What is the OH doing to the alkyl bromide?

[adinboy]

Well the K is bonding with the Br while the OH bonds with 1 hydrogen of the CH3 group to make KBr and H2O thereby creating a double bond

[discodermolide]

Yoe are talking about this molecule


reacting with KOH?
You already said the answer above.
So what is the reaction type called?
http://www.chemicalforums.com/Themes/Borek/images/bbc/SMILES.gif

[adinboy]

E2?

[kriggy]

How can it be E2 if you get hydroxylated product?

[discodermolide]

Apart from the last comment, this molecule cannot undergo an E2 process.
You already had the answer above.