Question icon
Grade 12Organic Chemistry

Give the general and specific names for the intermediate formed in the sow step. Explain why dehydration proceeds in acid but not in base.

Profile image of Dhruv  Gupta
17 Years agoGrade 12
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of askIITIians  Expert
17 Years ago
The intermediate cation is called a carbocation and the name of the corresponding parent alkyl group is used. Me2CH+ is the ispropyl cation. Under basic conditions the very poor leaving group OH - would have to be eliminated. The essential role of the acid is to convert --OH to --OH2+ so that the very good leaving group H2O is eliminated instead.