Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"The most substituted alkene is always the major product." WRONG! In this video, we look at the 4 specific exceptions where Zaitsev's Rule breaks and the Hofmann product takes over. From bulky bases to fluoride leaving groups, learn the "red flags" that your professor is definitely going to put on the midterm.
Also called Zaytsev's, Saytzeff's, or Saytzev's Rule, it predicts the major product of elimination reactions.
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🔬Newman Projections: youtu.be/O-nPrfY7WmY
🦠Cyclohexane Ring Flip: youtu.be/FWIw3F5KuXk
🧬If you need a refresher on chirality for mechanisms to make sense, start here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMupOdw1Wgy8YauiQ40J_5nx
🧪For all of my ochem videos in one place: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMuKRkW9gDV7vlAk4Y9WRU7c
🥼If you need to take the MCAT: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMuJZI5IVWO8X0syBANn-YqY
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🥼Need a molecular model kit or other chem supplies? amazon.com/shop/chemnut?ccs_id=11f20bce-5f74-427b-85fb-bdf66849405a
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0:00 Zaitsev's Rule Example
2:54 Rule for Reactants
3:42 4 Exceptions to Zaitsev's Rule
3:46 Conjugated Double Bond Systems
5:06 Bulky Bases
5:47 Leaving Group is too Basic
7:01 Fluorides...
7:25 Anti- & Syn-
10:13 Cyclic Systems
Citations:
Paula Yurkanis Bruice, "Organic Chemistry" 8th ed
Chapter 9, base reactivity data from table 9.5
openstax.org/books/organic-chemistry/pages/11-4-the-sn1-reaction
Music: youtu.be/lL6AsbG07xY
"The most substituted alkene is always the major product." WRONG! In this video, we look at the 4 specific exceptions where Zaitsev's Rule breaks and the Hofmann product takes over. From bulky bases to fluoride leaving groups, learn the "red flags" that your professor is definitely going to put on the midterm.
Also called Zaytsev's, Saytzeff's, or Saytzev's Rule, it predicts the major product of elimination reactions.
📘Master the Mechanisms! Grab the Organic Chemistry Reaction Mechanisms Survival Guide: payhip.com/b/rYbBp
🧠Full Reaction Mechanisms Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMtvqt_IBtezyBX_kk447pxZ
🍵Buy the professor a tea: patreon.com/c/ChemistryinaNutshell
🔬Newman Projections: youtu.be/O-nPrfY7WmY
🦠Cyclohexane Ring Flip: youtu.be/FWIw3F5KuXk
🧬If you need a refresher on chirality for mechanisms to make sense, start here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMupOdw1Wgy8YauiQ40J_5nx
🧪For all of my ochem videos in one place: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMuKRkW9gDV7vlAk4Y9WRU7c
🥼If you need to take the MCAT: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMuJZI5IVWO8X0syBANn-YqY
🥽As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
🥼Need a molecular model kit or other chem supplies? amazon.com/shop/chemnut?ccs_id=11f20bce-5f74-427b-85fb-bdf66849405a
🔬Start any shopping journey here: amzn.to/3IXuAcS
0:00 Zaitsev's Rule Example
2:54 Rule for Reactants
3:42 4 Exceptions to Zaitsev's Rule
3:46 Conjugated Double Bond Systems
5:06 Bulky Bases
5:47 Leaving Group is too Basic
7:01 Fluorides...
7:25 Anti- & Syn-
10:13 Cyclic Systems
Citations:
Paula Yurkanis Bruice, "Organic Chemistry" 8th ed
Chapter 9, base reactivity data from table 9.5
openstax.org/books/organic-chemistry/pages/11-4-the-sn1-reaction
Music: youtu.be/lL6AsbG07xY
