Which one of the following alcohols would dehydrate most rapidly when treated with sulfuric acid?
A)I
B)II
C)III
D)IV

Question

Which one of the following alcohols would dehydrate most rapidly when treated with sulfuric acid? 
A)I 
B)II 
C)III 
D)IV

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alcohol II (2-propanol) would dehydrate most rapidly when treated with sulfuric acid due to its tertiary carbon atom, which can form a stable carbocation intermediate during the elimination reaction. The other alcohols have either primary or secondary carbon atoms, which form less stable carbocation intermediates and therefore undergo the dehydration reaction more slowly.

Which One of the Following Alcohols Would Dehydrate Most Rapidly