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
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
Formation of carbocation
Formation of ethene by elimination of a proton.
