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NEET CHEMISTRYAlcohols, Phenols and EthersMedium

Question

Which one of the following compounds will be most readily dehydrated?

A

Option 1

B

Option 2

C

4

D

Option 4

Step-by-Step Solution

Acidic dehydration of alcohols involves the protonation of the alcohol followed by the loss of a water molecule to form a carbocation intermediate. This is the rate-determining step. The ease of dehydration is directly related to the stability of the carbocation formed. The order of stability of carbocations is Tertiary (33^\circ) > Secondary (22^\circ) > Primary (11^\circ) due to inductive and hyperconjugation effects. Consequently, the order of reactivity of alcohols towards dehydration is Tertiary > Secondary > Primary. Therefore, the compound that is a tertiary alcohol (or forms the most stable carbocation, such as allylic or benzylic) will be most readily dehydrated. (See NCERT Class 12, Unit 11, Section on Chemical Reactions of Alcohols; NCERT Class 11, Unit 12, Section 12.7.5 on Carbocation Stability).

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 Ethersfollowingcompoundsreadilydehydrated

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