In these transition states, the base species is the homohydrogen-bonded t-BuOK ion pair which provides electrostatic interactions of the base counterion with the leaving group. These attractive interactions are stronger in transition states forming 1-alkene, 2, and cis-2- alkene, 3, than in that leading to trans-2-alkene, 4, because of the disruptive a-methyl group in 4. In going from dissociated to associated base, the repression of trans-2-alkene ...