During the dehydration of alcohols to alkenes by heating with conc.H2SO4, the initiation step is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is option 2. protonation of alcohol molecule
During the dehydration of alcohols to form alkenes, the initiation step involves the protonation of the alcohol molecule by a strong acid such as concentrated sulfuric acid \((H_2SO_4)\). The sulfuric acid donates a proton \((H^+)\) to the oxygen atom of the alcohol, forming an oxonium ion or alkyl oxonium ion.
Let us consider an example to understand the mechanism:
