Hofmann and Cope Elimination - E2 Reaction Mechanism - Syn vs Anti Stereochemistry

This organic chemistry video tutorial provides the mechanism of the hofmann elimination reaction and the cope elimination reaction. Both reactions occur via the E2 mechanism and both pathways produce the less stable alkene also known as the hofmann product. This video discusses the stereochemistry of the products for these reactions. The cope elimination reaction proceeds with syn elimination but the hoffman reaction proceeds with anti elimination. The hofmann reaction converts an amine into a quarternary ammonium ion using excess methyl iodide CH3I in a process known as exhaustive alkylation followed by treatment of Ag2O, H2O, and heat. In the cope elimination reaction, the amine is methylated until a tertiary amine is produced where upon it's oxidized by Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 to produce an amine oxide. Heat causes elimination to occur. This reactions proceeds via a pericyclic transition state which causes syn elimination to occur.