Base-induced elimination reactions. VII. Hydroxide-promoted elimination reactions: alkyl halides as substrates

HCl and HBr were easily abstracted from secondary and tertiary alkyl halides by KOH in tetraglyme, but primary alkyl halides yielded approx. equal amts. of elimination and substitution products (alkenes and alcs. and/or ethers). However, the addn. of catalytic amts. of Me3N favored dehydrohalogenation via quaternary ammonium salt intermediates. [on SciFinder (R)]