The ease of dehydration of alcohols to produce alkenes is in the order of:
Correct answer: A. Tertiary > Secondary > Primary
- A. Tertiary > Secondary > Primary
- B. Primary > Secondary > Tertiary
- C. Secondary < Primary < Tertiary
- D. Tertiary < Secondary < Primary
Explanation
The dehydration of alcohols typically proceeds through a carbocation intermediate (E1 mechanism). Since the stability of carbocations follows the order tertiary > secondary > primary, the ease of dehydration also follows this order.
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About Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary and studied through their hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation and reactions with active metals, acids and halogenating agents. Phenols require separate treatment because the hydroxyl group is attached to an aromatic ring, making their acidity and electrophilic substitution different from ordinary alcohols.
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