Fluoroalkanes, and Zaitsev's rule

[Kitrak]

When haloalkanes undergo a β-elimination reaction with a base, say KOH, usually Saytzeff's (or Zaitsev's) rule is applied and the more substituted alkene is the major product. However, if the halogen group involved is flourine, the opposite happens: the less substituted alkene is the major product. Why does this happen?

 

[Raghav Gupta]

See this thread we had a discussion there.

 

[Kitrak]

Thanks!