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NEET CHEMISTRYAlcohols, Phenols and EthersMedium

Question

The increasing order of reactivity of the following compounds towards acid-catalyzed dehydration is:

A

(b) < (c) < (a) < (d)

B

(b) < (a) < (c) < (d)

C

(a) < (c) < (d) < (b)

D

(c) < (a) < (b) < (d)

Step-by-Step Solution

The acid-catalyzed dehydration of alcohols to alkenes proceeds via a mechanism involving the formation of a carbocation intermediate. The rate of the reaction is directly proportional to the stability of the carbocation formed in the rate-determining step.

  1. Carbocation Stability: The general order of carbocation stability is Tertiary (33^{\circ}) > Secondary (22^{\circ}) > Primary (11^{\circ}). Electron-donating groups (+I effect) and resonance increase stability, while electron-withdrawing groups decrease it.
  2. Reactivity Order: Consequently, tertiary alcohols are the most reactive towards dehydration, followed by secondary, and then primary alcohols.

Assuming the standard set of compounds for this common NEET question (where (b) is a primary alcohol like 1-propanol, (a) is a secondary alcohol like 2-butanol, (c) is a secondary alcohol with specific features, and (d) is a tertiary alcohol like 2-methylpropan-2-ol), the order of reactivity increases from primary to tertiary: (b) < (a) < (c) < (d).

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

CHEMISTRYAlcohols, Phenols and Ethersincreasingreactivityfollowingcompoundstowards

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