Organic reactions - how do they happen (AS)
Read our general notes on Risk Assessment
Thank you for your response to my earlier question. I have the following question. Please can you help me understand it? What happens when 1-methyl-1-propanol reacts with concentrated H2SO4, in the presence of heat? What is the mechanism?
Igloo writes ...
1-methyl-1-propanol should really be named butanol-2-ol, CH3CH2CH(OH)CH3. This is a secondary alcohol. The reaction with concentrated sulphuric acid is a dehydration, forming a mixture of but-1-ene, CH3CH2CH=CH2, and but-2-ene, CH3CH=CHCH3.
The mechanism for this reaction involves an initial protonation of the -OH on the alcohol to produce CH3CH2CH(OH2+)CH3, followed by the loss of a proton from the first or third carbon atom, as well as water, creating a carbon-carbon double bond in the process.
Risk assessment
Before attempting any practical work based on the advice and suggestions on this website, you must do the following. Identify any hazards, assess the risks from these hazards, and then decide appropriate control measures to reduce the risks. You must have these approved by those in authority in your school or college laboratory. Do not rely on what is said on this website.
For further guidance see our tutorial on Risk Assessment.
back to Organic reactions - how do they happen (AS)
Rate this page or react
Share your views on this page, 0 ratings so far
updated: 28 January 2007
