E1 reaction works in the mechanism that the removal of an HX substituent results in the formation of a double bond. The E1 reaction for 2-methylbutan-2-ol is shown in the figure. This reaction is called acid-catalyzed dehydration of a tertiary alcohol.
The mechanism works in three major steps:
1. The OH group of the main reactant is hydrated by H2SO4 so it becomes H2O.
2. The H2O leaves taking electrons with it. This results to a carbocation intermediate on the carbon atom where it was attached.
3. Another H2O protonates the beta carbon. This is the carbon atom next to the carbocation. It will donate its electrons to the neighboring C-C bond, as indicated by the arrow. The carbons are rehybridized from sp3 to sp2, which is a pi bond. As a result, a double bond forms.
The product is 2-methyl-2-butene.
The mechanism works in three major steps:
1. The OH group of the main reactant is hydrated by H2SO4 so it becomes H2O.
2. The H2O leaves taking electrons with it. This results to a carbocation intermediate on the carbon atom where it was attached.
3. Another H2O protonates the beta carbon. This is the carbon atom next to the carbocation. It will donate its electrons to the neighboring C-C bond, as indicated by the arrow. The carbons are rehybridized from sp3 to sp2, which is a pi bond. As a result, a double bond forms.
The product is 2-methyl-2-butene.