Consider the following two elimination reactions: (i) (ii) Which of the two reactions proceeds at a faster rate, and what is the predominant mechanism for these eliminations?

Step-by-step solution

The given reactions involve the elimination of HCl from alkyl halides using a strong base, ethoxide ion ( EtO ⁻ ), in ethanol. The presence of a strong base favors the E2 (bimolecular elimination) mechanism for both primary and secondary alkyl halides. In an E2 reaction, the rate of elimination depends on the stability of the transition state, which has partial double bond character. The more substituted the developing double bond, the more stable the transition state, and the lower the activation energy. Reaction