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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3o4060

(Butan-2-yl)trimethylammonium hydroxide, , is heated at about . The major alkene is

  1. Acis-but-2-ene
  2. B2-methylpropene
  3. Ctrans-but-2-ene
  4. Dbut-1-ene

Answer: D

Quaternary ammonium hydroxides undergo Hofmann elimination, which follows the Hofmann rule. The bulky group and the carbanion-like E2 transition state make the more acidic, less hindered primary hydrogens of the methyl group the ones removed. Hence the less substituted but-1-ene is the major product, not but-2-ene.
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