Definition of Saytzeff Rule

Dehydrohalogenation of secondary- and tertiary-alkyl halides proceeds by the preferential removal of the -hydrogen from the carbon that has the smallest number of hydrogens.

Originally formulated by A. Saytzeff (Zaitsev) to generalize the orientation in -elimination reactions of alkyl halides, this rule has been extended and modified, as follows:

Two or more olefins can be produced in an elimination reaction, the thermodynamically most stable alkene will predominate.

Exceptions to the Saytzeff rule are exemplified by the Hofmann rule. SAYTZEFF (1875).

See also Markownikoff rule.