Question

During the dehydration of alcohols to alkenes by heating with conc. $H_2SO_4$, 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

Answer: (B)

protonation of an alcohol molecule

Answer 2

The mechanism of dehydration of alcohol involves the following steps- 1. Formation of protonated alcohol 2. Formation of carbocation 3. Formation of ethene by elimination of a proton.