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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Haloalkanes & Haloarenes  ·  NEET & JEE

When 2-bromopropane is boiled with alcoholic KOH, the major product is:

Answer: propene.

  • A propan-2-ol
  • B propan-1-ol
  • C propene
  • D propane

Correct answer: C. propene

Explanation: Alcoholic KOH promotes dehydrohalogenation (E2 elimination), giving propene; aqueous KOH would instead give the alcohol.

SN2: one stepNu-CX-backside attackNuC+ X-Inversion of configuration(Walden inversion)SN1: two stepsCX-slow: leaving group exits+CcarbocationNu-Planar intermediate givesracemisation (both faces attacked)

SN2 proceeds in a single step with backside attack and inversion of configuration, while SN1 forms a planar carbocation intermediate first, leading to racemisation.

Concept context

Study carbon-halogen compounds: how they are made, how they react via SN1/SN2 and elimination, their stereochemistry, and their environmental impact.

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