Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Alcohol Reactions: Dehydration Reactions

GOB Chemistry

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Alcohol Reactions: Dehydration Reactions

Previous problemNext problem

Problem 46b

Textbook Question

The following alkenes can be prepared by dehydration of an appropriate alcohol. Show the structure of the alcohol in each case that would provide the alkene shown as the major product.
b.

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the alkene structure provided in the problem. Note the position of the double bond and the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

Recall that dehydration of an alcohol involves the removal of a water molecule (H₂O) to form an alkene. This reaction typically occurs in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as H₂SO₄, and heat.

Determine the alcohol that would lead to the given alkene as the major product. The hydroxyl group (-OH) in the alcohol must be located on a carbon adjacent to the carbon that will form the double bond. This is because the dehydration reaction follows the E1 or E2 elimination mechanism.

Apply Zaitsev's rule, which states that the major product of an elimination reaction is the more substituted alkene (the one with more alkyl groups attached to the double-bonded carbons). Use this rule to confirm the placement of the double bond in the alkene and identify the corresponding alcohol structure.

Draw the structure of the alcohol by replacing the double bond in the alkene with a single bond and adding a hydroxyl group (-OH) to one of the carbons involved in the double bond. Ensure the structure matches the requirements for the dehydration reaction to produce the given alkene as the major product.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Dehydration Reaction

A dehydration reaction is a chemical process where a water molecule is removed from a compound, typically resulting in the formation of a double bond. In organic chemistry, this often involves the conversion of alcohols to alkenes. Understanding this reaction is crucial for predicting the structure of the alcohol that can yield a specific alkene as the major product.

Alcohol Structure

Alcohols are organic compounds characterized by the presence of one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a carbon atom. The structure of the alcohol influences the outcome of the dehydration reaction, including the stability of the resulting alkene. Recognizing the structural features of alcohols helps in determining which alcohol can be dehydrated to form a desired alkene.

Zaitsev's Rule

Zaitsev's Rule states that in elimination reactions, the more substituted alkene is typically the major product. This principle is important when predicting the outcome of dehydration reactions, as it guides the selection of the appropriate alcohol. By applying Zaitsev's Rule, one can deduce which alcohol will lead to the most stable alkene product after dehydration.

Watch next

Master Alcohol Reactions: Dehydration Reactions Concept 1 with a bite sized video explanation from Jules

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Draw the condensed structural or line-angle formula for the alkene, aldehyde, or ketone product of each of the following reactions:

663

views

Textbook Question

The reverse reaction of hydration is dehydration. The dehydration of an alcohol involves removing an OH from one carbon and an H from the carbon next to it to form an alkene. In glycolysis, the enzyme enolase catalyzes the dehydration of 2-phosphoglycerate to form phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), which contains a carbon–carbon double bond. Complete the reaction below by drawing the structure of PEP.

618

views

Multiple Choice

Determine the name of the alkene product formed in the following dehydration reaction.

Determine the name of the alkene product formed in the following dehydration reaction.

615

views

Textbook Question

The following alkenes can be prepared by dehydration of an appropriate alcohol. Show the structure of the alcohol in each case that would provide the alkene shown as the major product.

e. 1,4-Pentadiene

530

views

Textbook Question

Using the alcohol shown, draw all the possible alkenes that might be formed on its dehydration. Which do you think will be the major product(s)? Which do you think will be the minor product(s)? It is alright to have more than one major and minor product.

684

views

Textbook Question

Using the alcohol shown, draw all the possible alkenes that might be formed on its dehydration. Which alkenes can exist as cis–trans isomers? Draw them, in both condensed and line structure, and identify each as cis or trans. Explain your choices.

641

views

Textbook Question

What alkenes might be formed by dehydration of the following alcohols? If more than one product is possible in a given case, indicate which is major.

609

views

Show more practices