Identify the mechanistic pathways, respectively, for the products in the following reaction.

Identify the mechanistic pathways, respectively, for the products in the following reaction.

A. E1, SN1

B. E1, SN2

C. E2, SN1

D. E2, SN2

Solution: The first product has a double bond which means it must have been created by the elimination reaction. E2 happens when there is a strong base and E1 happens with a very weak nucleophile. CH3ONa is a strong base, since we have Na+ and CH3O-. RO- is a strong base. We must have E2. Also our substrate is primary which means there should be SN2 reaction for the second product. Choice D is correct.

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