Study for the Medical Chemistry Test. Explore multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready with engaging quizzes and comprehensive study materials.

Multiple Choice

The product of intermolecular dehydration of alcohols is which class of compound?

Intermolecular dehydration of alcohols yields an ether. In this process, two alcohol molecules react in the presence of acid and heat. One alcohol is protonated to create a good leaving group (water). When water leaves, the remaining species is highly electrophilic and can be attacked by a second alcohol molecule, forming an O–R–O linkage. The result is a new ether (R–O–R) with water removed; if identical alcohols react, you get a symmetrical ether, while differing alcohols give mixed ethers. This outcome distinguishes ethers from the other possible products, which would require different reaction pathways (oxidation or dehydrogenation) rather than this condensation.

Intermolecular dehydration of alcohols yields an ether. In this process, two alcohol molecules react in the presence of acid and heat. One alcohol is protonated to create a good leaving group (water). When water leaves, the remaining species is highly electrophilic and can be attacked by a second alcohol molecule, forming an O–R–O linkage. The result is a new ether (R–O–R) with water removed; if identical alcohols react, you get a symmetrical ether, while differing alcohols give mixed ethers. This outcome distinguishes ethers from the other possible products, which would require different reaction pathways (oxidation or dehydrogenation) rather than this condensation.