Understanding the E2 Reaction

What if I told you there’s a reaction that yeets a leaving group and forms a double bond in

one single swoop? That’s the E2 reaction, also known as bimolecular elimination — and it’s all about one

concerted step. No intermediates, no carbocations… just one clean move. Here’s how to spot

it instantly: • You need a strong base — something that won’t hesitate to grab a proton.

• The base plucks a β-hydrogen, at the exact same time the leaving group dips.

• This forms a double bond in one fluid motion. • And crucial detail: the hydrogen and

leaving group MUST be anti-periplanar (perfectly opposite) for the reaction to fire.

If you see a strong base, a good leaving group, and a substrate that can line up