The acid-catalyzed intermolecular dehydration of alcohols to form ethers follows a specific pathway. — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question
Question
The acid-catalyzed intermolecular dehydration of alcohols to form ethers follows a specific pathway. What is the rate-determining step in this $S_N2$ -type mechanism?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
Step 1 is rapid protonation. Step 2 is the $S_N2$ attack of a neutral alcohol molecule on the oxonium ion to displace water, which is slow and rate-determining. Step 3 is rapid deprotonation.
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