Question:

Which one of the following will most readily be dehydrated in acidic solution?

Show Hint

Carbocation stability increases with resonance → adjacent carbonyl group enhances dehydration rate.
Updated On: Apr 16, 2026
  • Secondary alcohol with carbonyl nearby
  • Secondary alcohol
  • Tertiary alcohol
  • Diol
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Dehydration in acidic medium proceeds via carbocation formation. Stability of carbocation determines ease of dehydration. Additionally, nearby functional groups can stabilize carbocation via resonance.

Step 1:
Effect of carbonyl group.
A carbonyl group (\(C=O\)) adjacent to the carbocation can stabilize it through resonance and electron-withdrawing effects.

Step 2:
Compare options.
• (A) Secondary alcohol with nearby carbonyl → extra resonance stabilization → most favorable
• (B) Secondary alcohol → only moderate stability
• (C) Tertiary alcohol → stable, but no additional resonance stabilization
• (D) Diol → follows different dehydration pathway

Step 3:
Conclusion.
Due to resonance stabilization by the carbonyl group, option (A) undergoes dehydration most readily.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0