What is the product of intramolecular dehydration of the alcohol with structure R-CH2-CH2OH?

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

What is the product of intramolecular dehydration of the alcohol with structure R-CH2-CH2OH?

Dehydration of an alcohol under acidic conditions converts the hydroxyl into a good leaving group (water) and removes a hydrogen from the adjacent carbon to form a C=C bond. In R-CH2-CH2OH, the OH-bearing carbon is the terminal one and the neighboring carbon is the one attached to R. Eliminating water between these two carbons creates a double bond, giving R-CH=CH2. This yields a terminal alkene, not an oxidized carbonyl or carboxyl group, so the product is R-CH=CH2.

Dehydration of an alcohol under acidic conditions converts the hydroxyl into a good leaving group (water) and removes a hydrogen from the adjacent carbon to form a C=C bond. In R-CH2-CH2OH, the OH-bearing carbon is the terminal one and the neighboring carbon is the one attached to R. Eliminating water between these two carbons creates a double bond, giving R-CH=CH2. This yields a terminal alkene, not an oxidized carbonyl or carboxyl group, so the product is R-CH=CH2.

More practice questions