Question

Which of the following is the most stable intermdiate formed during the acid catalysed dehydration of neopentyl alcohol
A. `(CH_(3))_(3)Coverset(o+)(C)H_(2)`
B. `CH_(3)overset(o+)(C)HCH_(2)CH_(3)`
C. `(CH_(3))_(2)overset(o+)(C)CH_(2)CH_(3)`
D. all the three are equally stable.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - C
The neopentyl alcohol gives more stable `3^(@)` carbocation as an intermediate via rearrangement involving methyl shift.
`(CH_(3))_(3)C CH_(2)OH underset(-H_(2)O)overset(H^(+))rarr (CH_(3))_(3)C CH^(o+) overset("Methyl shift")rarr underset(3^(@)-"carbocation")((CH_(3))_(3)overset(o+)(C)CH_(2)CH_(3))`