Catalysis in β-elimination reactions

1.	It has been shown that bifunctional agents have high activity in catalyzing -elimination reactions; study has been made of the effect of the concentration of such agents on the specific rate of -elimination from methyl-substituted ethoxy--ketoesters.
2.	Study has been made of the state of 2- and 3-oxypyridines in benzene solution at 80°C. A value has been obtained for the 2-oxypyridine dimerization constant.
3.	A mechanism has been proposed for the action of 2-oxypyridine in catalyzing -elimination reactions, and equilibrium constants and rate constants calculated for the various mechanism steps. The factors responsible for the low catalytic activity of 8-oxyquinoline are discussed.