Question

Treating 2-methyl-1-butene with methanol in the presence of sulfuric acid gives 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane. Draw curved arrows to show the movement of electrons in this step of the reaction mechanism.

Answer 1

Reaction proceeds in three steps- protonation, nucleophilic addition and deprotonation

Step-by-step explanation:

• Reaction of 2-methyl-1-butene with methanol in the presence of sulfuric acid proceeds through a carbocationic intermediate.
• In the first step, protonation of double bond in 2-methyl-1-butene occurs to produce a stable tertiary carbocation.
• In the second step, nucleophilic addition of methanol occurs into the carbocation.
• In the third step, deprotonation from -OH group of methanol occurs to produce 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane.
• Reaction mechanism is shown below.