Question icon
Organic Chemistry

In the process of dehydration, does the alpha hydrogen to the alcohol also get removed? What is the basic mechanism of dehydration of alcohols

Profile image of Rishabh Upadhyay
14 Years agoGrade
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of Harish R
14 Years ago

Yes, alpha hydrogen is removed. First the -OH group is attacked by H+ and is removed as water. Then a carbo cation is formed. Then the alpha C-H bond is broken and a double bond is formed simultaneously.

Plz approve if you like the answer!!!