Lesson eLearning

When 2-methyl-2-butanol (CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2OH) is heated with conc. H2SO4, what is the major product?

medium 2 marks Class 12 · Chemistry · Alcohols Phenols and Ethers
Answer
2-Methyl-2-butene

The correct answer is 2-Methyl-2-butene — The more substituted alkene formed is 2-methyl-2-butene.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Recognize that 2-methyl-2-butanol is a tertiary alcohol.
  2. Dehydration with conc. H2SO4 proceeds via an E1 mechanism.
  3. Elimination favors the more substituted alkene (Zaitsev's rule).
  4. The more substituted alkene formed is 2-methyl-2-butene.
Common mistake: Predicting the less substituted alkene as the major product

Concept tested: Dehydration of alcohols

Published · How this solution was prepared and checked

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