Why do we use sulfuric acid rather than HX acid for a dehydration reaction? What product might have been isolated if an HX acid was used instead?
The dehydration reaction occures through a carbocation intermediate formation in acidic medium. The sulfuric acid provide only H+ ion and helps in the removal of H2O (as leaving group and forming carbocation). The counter part conjugate bese HSO4- is not a nuleophile and can not attack over carbocation formed after removal of H2O. Whereas in case of HX after providing H+ the counter part X- may also act as nucleophile which may cause for a mixture of products.
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