Question

Which of the following alcohols is dehydrated most easily with conc. $H_{2}SO_{4}$?

• A. $p - O_{2}NC_{6}H_{4}CH(OH)CH_{3}$
• B. $p - ClC_{6}H_{4}CH(OH)CH_{3}$
• C. $p - CH_{3}OC_{6}H_{4}CH(OH)CH_{3}$
• D. $C_{6}H_{5}CH(OH)CH_{3}$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$p - CH_{3}OC_{6}H_{4}CH(OH)CH_{3}$

Answer 2

Electron releasing inductive effect of $- OCH_{3}$ group facilitates the protonation of alcohol involved in dehydration mechanism.