Chapter 9.4, Problem 12P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The stereoisomers formed in the reaction of acid catalysed dehydration of 3,4-dimethyl-3-hexanol and the major product has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Dehydration reaction:

Removal of water molecule from the reaction when the alcohol is treated with strong acid like sulfuric acid is known as dehydration reaction, for example

Alcohols are reacts with acids like hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid to yield the corresponding carbocation intermediates and then the carbocation intermediate undergoes elimination reaction to give a corresponding alkene as a product.

The stability of carbocation is given below,

Tertiary carbocation is more stable than the secondary and primary.

Cis–trans isomerism (or) geometric isomerism or configurational isomerism:

• If the functional groups are in the same side of the carbon chain, then it is called cis isomer.
• If the functional groups are in opposite to each other in the carbon chain, then it is called Trans isomer.
• If two similar functional groups are in same side which is called as Z-isomer.
• If two similar functional groups are opposite side which is called as E-isomer.