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Addition-Elimination

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    16575

    • If the product of an addition reaction is unstable under the reaction conditions and undergoes an elimination reaction, the overall reaction is called an addition-elimination.

    eg:

    additionelimination2.png

    mechanism:

    additionelimination3.png

    The first stage of the mechanism, shown in black, is an acid-catalyzed addition. The addition product, hemiaminal 1, is unstable under acidic conditions and undergoes a 1,2-elimination, shown in blue, via activation of the hydroxy group by the acid. Thus, the overall reaction is an addition-elimination.