Organic Chemistry

SOLUTION E21.1b

The second reaction is faster. The substrate is the same, but the leaving group is not. When alcohols are put in acidic solutions, the OH can be protonated to make a better leaving group (R-OH2+ vs R-OH). In both E1 and E2 reactions, the type of leaving group affects the activation energy.
The first reaction is faster. The substrates, leaving group, and nucleophile are the same, but the solvent is different. Protic solvents better solubilize the carbocation and leaving group, improving both species’ stability. In E1 reactions, the stability of the carbocation affects the activation energy.
 

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