Talk:Todd:Chem3x11 ToddL11

Student question 2013: "If an E2 reaction on a ring were slow because an anchoring group locks the ring in a formation where the eliminating groups aren't antiperiplanar, would another reaction (e.g. an SN2 reaction) compete with it? Would we be required to talk about this in an exam question?" Answer: Yes, you'd get other possibilities. Yes, I'd like you to think about those. Remember that anchoring groups are rarely completely able to lock a ring conformation - they enforce a preference. Therefore heating a molecule can often access those less likely conformations, so sometimes we'll see axial t-Bu groups, and the possibility of eliminations from those. But yes, slowing down a possible reaction can make less likely reactions/mechanisms suddenly relevant.