Question

Write a mechanism of the synthesis diisobutylene from tert-butyl alcohol with the use of elimination reaction.

The following is the procedure of how it was done in the orgo lab:

First of all, with the use of graduated cylinder 7mL of water was measured and then transferred in a 50mL round bottom flask. To the round bottom flask, it was added 7mL of sulfuric acid. The mixture was then cooled until the temperature got below 50 °C. In order to make this process faster, a beaker with cold water was set under the flask. Once the temperature got below 50°C, 6.4ml od tert-butyl alcohol was added slowly. The reflux condenser was set the flask was attached to it and the material was boiled for the next 30 minutes. After that, it was waited another 15 minutes in order for the material to cool down. The material was then transferred to the separatory funnel. Two layers could be observed, the bottom layer, which was the aqueous layer, was removed and then we washed it by adding 5mL of water to the separatory funnel. Then, again the two layers were separated, by removing the water. The organic layer was then dried with the use of calcium chloride. The product was transferred to a vial. With the use of balance, the product was weighted and then the vial was labeled so it can be used for the next experiment. In order to test if we produced an alkene, a potassium permanganate test can be performed. A small test tube was obtained to which five drops of the product were added and 1 mL of acetone. To that mixture 20 drops of Potassium permanganate was added. After a few minutes a brown colored was observed which was a proof that there was an alkene.

Answer 1