Draw the major organic product formed when the compound shown below is heated with H2SO4.

Draw the major organic product formed when the compound shown below is heated with H2SO4. Interactive 3D display mode OH CH CH Draw the molecule on the canvas by choosing buttons from the Tools (for bonds), Atoms, and Advanced Template toolbars. The single bon
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To determine the major organic product formed when the given compound is heated with concentrated sulfuric acid (( H_2SO_4 )), follow these steps:
Step-by-Step Explanation
- Structure of Reactant:
The starting compound is a secondary alcohol (( CH_3-CH(OH)-CH_2-CH_3 )). - Role of ( H_2SO_4 ):
Concentrated sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst, providing an acidic medium to protonate the alcohol group (( OH )). This leads to the formation of a better leaving group, water (( H_2O )). - Formation of Carbocation:
The protonated alcohol undergoes dehydration through the loss of water, forming a carbocation. The initial carbocation is secondary (( CH_3-CH^+-CH_2-CH_3 )). - Carbocation Rearrangement:
Secondary carbocations can rearrange to more stable tertiary carbocations if possible. In this case, the hydrogen from the adjacent carbon atom (CH_3 group) migrates to form a tertiary carbocation (( (CH_3)_2-C^+-CH_3 )). - Elimination and Alkene Formation:
Once the tertiary carbocation forms, the next step involves the elimination of a proton from an adjacent carbon atom, forming the most stable alkene due to ( \pi )-bond conjugation and hyperconjugation effects. The double bond forms between the two most substituted carbon atoms, leading to 2-butene as the product. - Major Product:
The major product is 2-butene because it is more stable than 1-butene due to higher substitution at the double bond (Zaitsev’s rule).
Product Structure:
The major product is trans-2-butene (more stable isomer). Its structure is:
( CH_3-CH=CH-CH_3 )
Key Concepts:
- Acid-catalyzed dehydration of alcohols follows ( E_1 ) mechanism.
- Carbocation rearrangement favors the formation of more stable carbocations.
- Zaitsev’s rule predicts the formation of the more substituted alkene as the major product.
If you’d like, I can draw the molecule or further elaborate on any step!