---
title: "Hofmann elimination Template – Chemistry Diagram | MolDraw"
url: https://www.moldraw.com/templates/hofmann-elimination/
description: "Hofmann elimination template: Exhaustive methylation gives the trimethylammonium ion; hydroxide removes a hydrogen from the CH₃ (E2) to give but-1-ene, not…"
lang: en
publisher: Scidart Academy
generated: 2026-10-28
---
[MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/) › [Templates](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/) › [Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/name-reactions/) › Hofmann elimination

[Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/name-reactions/)Premium

# Hofmann elimination template

![Hofmann elimination template: Exhaustive methylation gives the trimethylammonium ion; hydroxide removes a hydrogen from the CH₃ (E2) to give but-1-ene, not but-2-ene.](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/hofmann-elimination.webp)

[Edit in MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/)Download with Pro

Premium template. Preview and edit it free in MolDraw; downloading and exporting it is part of [MolDraw Pro](https://www.moldraw.com/pricing).

Exhaustive methylation gives the trimethylammonium ion; hydroxide removes a hydrogen from the CH₃ (E2) to give but-1-ene, not but-2-ene.

## Mechanism step by step

A quaternary ammonium hydroxide eliminates to the less substituted alkene

1. **Methylation** – The last of three SN2 methylations
2. **E2 (Hofmann rule)** – Hydroxide takes an H from the least hindered CH₃

## Key points

- Hofmann rule: the less substituted alkene, the opposite of Zaitsev.
- The bulky NMe₃⁺ group and an early, carbanion-like E2 transition state favour the most accessible H.
- Ag₂O/H₂O swaps iodide for hydroxide.
- Historically used to locate nitrogen in alkaloids.

Drawn with 50 atoms, 8 arrows, 4 shapes – every one editable in MolDraw.

## Sources

- [Clayden, Greeves & Warren, Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed., OUP 2012](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780199270293) Textbook

## How to use this template

1. Press **Edit in MolDraw**. The template opens on the canvas of the free MolDraw editor.
2. Change anything: move structures, edit atoms and labels, recolour highlights or delete what you do not need.
3. Add your own structures, arrows and text next to it, or combine several templates on one page.
4. Export the drawing as PNG, SVG or PDF for slides, worksheets, theses and papers.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Hofmann elimination template free?

You can preview the Hofmann elimination template here and open and edit it in MolDraw for free. Downloading or exporting it is part of MolDraw Pro, together with the other premium templates.

### Can I edit the Hofmann elimination template?

Yes. It opens as an ordinary MolDraw drawing, so every structure, arrow, label and colour can be changed, and you can add your own content around it.

### Is the chemistry checked?

Every structure is checked with RDKit and every curly arrow passes MolDraw’s electron-flow audit. The sources used are listed on this page.

### Which name reactions are included?

Over seventy, covering the reactions most often asked in school-leaving exams (A-level, IB, CBSE, JEE and NEET) and first-year university courses, including condensations, rearrangements, oxidations, reductions and aromatic substitutions.

## More name reactions templates

[**Fischer esterification**Free · Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/fischer-esterification/)[**Grignard addition to a ketone**Free · Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/grignard-addition/)[**Michael addition**Free · Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/michael-addition/)[**Diels–Alder reaction**Premium · Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/diels-alder/)[**Friedel–Crafts acylation**Premium · Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/friedel-crafts-acylation/)[**Claisen condensation**Premium · Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/claisen-condensation/)[**Friedel–Crafts alkylation**Premium · Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/friedel-crafts-alkylation/)[**Cannizzaro reaction**Premium · Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/cannizzaro-reaction/)

## Related pages

[**Curved Arrow Mechanism Worksheet**Free printable worksheet](https://www.moldraw.com/educational-materials/curved-arrow-mechanism-worksheet/)[**Predict the Product Worksheet: Organic Reactions**Free printable worksheet](https://www.moldraw.com/educational-materials/predict-the-product-worksheet/)[**All Name reactions templates**72 templates](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/name-reactions/)[**All chemistry templates**370 templates in 29 categories](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/)

MolDraw Pro

Download all 370 templates

- Export the 291 premium templates as PNG, SVG or PDF
- AI chemistry assistant
- Structure scanning from images
- Cloud save and teaching slides

[See Pro plans](https://www.moldraw.com/pricing)

Free templates stay free. Every template can be opened and edited in MolDraw.