Question

When neopentyl alcohol is heated with an acid, it is slowly converted into an 85:15 mixture of alkenes A and B, respectively. What are these alkenes?

• A.

  

• B.

  

• C.

  

• D.

  

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Alkenes:

• Alkenes are unsaturated compounds with a carbon-carbon $\left(\mathrm{C}=\mathrm{C}\right)$ double bond.
• Here, When neopentyl alcohol is heated with an acid, it is slowly converted into an 85:15 mixture of alkenes A and B, respectively.,
• Step 1: Formation of the carbocation.
• Step 2: Methyl shifting, because third-degree $\left(3°\right)$ carbonation is possible.
• Step 3: The one which is more substituted, will be more stable, and hence it will be a major product.
• The correct depiction of the entire process is as follows.