What type of reaction involves the breaking of a double bond to form a single bond and an elimination product?

The correct choice identifies an elimination reaction, which specifically refers to a process where two atoms or groups are removed from a molecule, resulting in the formation of a double bond or, as in this case, the breaking of a double bond to yield a single bond and an elimination product. In elimination reactions, common examples include dehydrohalogenation or dehydration, where a small molecule, often water or HCl, is eliminated from the reactants.

In the context of this question, when there is a breaking of a double bond, a set of reactants might transform into a product that has a single bond structure and a byproduct released. This captures the essential characteristics of an elimination reaction as it leads to the formation of new products while eliminating another component.

Understanding the nature of an elimination reaction helps in recognizing its importance in organic synthesis. For instance, in a dehydrohalogenation reaction, an alkyl halide can lose HX (where X is a halogen) leading to the formation of an alkene through the breaking of a C-H and C-X bond, thus illustrating the core concept of an elimination process that matches the question’s criteria.