When 3 -methyl butan-2-ol is heated with HBr, the major product formed is 2-bromo-2-methyl butane. Explain the formation of the product from the mechanism of the reaction

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The mechanism for the formation of 2-bromo-2-methylbutane from the reaction of 3-methylbutan-2-ol with HBr involves nucleophilic substitution, including protonation of the alcohol, formation of a carbocation, and a nucleophilic attack by the bromide ion.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the starting materials and reagents

In this reaction, we have the following starting materials and reagents: - 3-methylbutan-2-ol which is the alcohol - HBr which is the hydrogen halide
02

Protonation of the alcohol

Since -OH is a poor leaving group, the first step in the reaction is protonation of the alcohol to form a good leaving group. The lone pair on the oxygen in alcohol attacks the hydrogen atom in HBr, forming a bond. This results in the formation of a water molecule (H2O) which is a better leaving group and a positively charged bromine ion (Br-). 3-methylbutan-2-ol + HBr -> 3-methylbutan-2-ol-H^+ + Br^-
03

Formation of the carbocation

The next step is the formation of the carbocation. The water molecule, as a good leaving group, departs from the protonated alcohol, and a positively charged carbocation is formed at the 2nd carbon in the 3-methylbutane molecule. 3-methylbutan-2-ol-H^+ -> 3-methylbutan-2-ylium + H2O
04

Nucleophilic attack by bromide ion

The carbocation formed in step 3 acts as an electrophile and is attacked by the negatively charged bromine ion (Br-) from step 1. The nucleophilic attack occurs at the positively charged carbon, forming a bond with the bromine and yielding our final product, 2-bromo-2-methylbutane. 3-methylbutan-2-ylium + Br^- -> 2-bromo-2-methylbutane In conclusion, the formation of 2-bromo-2-methylbutane from the reaction of 3-methylbutan-2-ol with HBr involves a nucleophilic substitution mechanism that includes the protonation of the alcohol, the formation of a carbocation, and the nucleophilic attack by the bromide ion.

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