Question

In dehydration of alcohols via the E1 mechanism, the carbocation formation step is said to be an endothermic process. that means that the transition state structure for this step greatly resembles;

a. the ensuing carbocation intermediate
b. the starting alcohol component
c. the final alkene product
d. the rearrangement carbocation product
e. more information is needed to answer this question

Answer 1

The formation of the carbocation intermediate in the dehydration of alcohols via the E1 mechanism is an endothermic process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The formation of the carbocation intermediate in the dehydration of alcohols via the E1 mechanism is an endothermic process. This means that the transition state structure for this step greatly resembles the starting alcohol component and not the ensuing carbocation intermediate, the final alkene product, or the rearrangement carbocation product.

The endothermic nature of the carbocation formation step can be explained by considering the energy required to break the bond between the alcohol carbon and the oxygen atom. This bond is relatively strong and requires energy input to break. Once this bond is broken, the carbocation intermediate is formed.