Zaitsev’s rule is another guideline in organic chemistry that predicts the major product in elimination reactions. Here’s a clear explanation:
Zaitsev’s rule states that during an elimination reaction, the more substituted alkene (the double bond with more carbon groups attached to it) is usually formed as the major product.
The reasoning behind this is stability: alkenes that have more alkyl groups attached to the double-bonded carbons are more stable due to electron-donating effects and hyperconjugation. Therefore, the reaction favors forming the more substituted, stable alkene.
In simple terms:
- Zaitsev → more substituted, more stable alkene is major
- Hofmann → less substituted alkene is major
A quick way to remember:
- Zaitsev favors the “crowded” alkene (more carbons around the double bond).
- Hofmann favors the “less crowded” alkene (fewer carbons around the double bond).