Question

During the dehydration of alcohols to alkenes by heating with conc. H₂SO₄, the initiating step is

(a) elimination of water

(b) protonation of an alcohol molecule

(c) formation of an ester

(d) formation of carbocation

Answer 1

The correct option is: (b) protonation of an alcohol molecule

Explanation:

The mechanism of dehydration of alcohol involves the following steps.

Formation of protonated alcohol

2. Formation of carbocation

3. Formation of ethene by elimination of a proton.