Question

What is the E1 mechanism for tert-butyl alcohol + HCl? Please show arrows, charge, and rate determining step.

Answer 1

Before solving problem, you must have some knowledge of elimination reaction.

Elimination reaction: When nucleophile attacks hydrogen instead of carbon.

In E1 reaction the role only depends upon the one species, not on nucleophile.

Step 1: HCl dissociate into H⁺ Cl^-

Now Cl^- act as nucleophile.

Lone pairs of OH attack on H⁺ and abstract hydrogen

Now, OH₂ will leave and this step act as rate determining step.

Step 2: Now we know that in E1 reaction nucleophile abstract hydrogen.

Step 3 : Finally we can write whole reaction.