What is the outcome of decomposing alcohols with concentrated sulfuric acid?

Decomposing alcohols with concentrated sulfuric acid primarily leads to alkene formation through a process known as dehydration. In this reaction, the concentrated sulfuric acid acts as a dehydrating agent, removing a molecule of water from the alcohol.

When an alcohol is treated with concentrated sulfuric acid, the acid initially protonates the hydroxyl (-OH) group of the alcohol, making it a better leaving group. This is often followed by the loss of a water molecule, leading to the formation of a carbocation intermediate. Depending on the stability of the carbocation and the structure of the original alcohol, the elimination reaction continues, resulting in the formation of an alkene.

The creation of alkenes is particularly significant in organic chemistry, as alkenes can undergo further reactions, making them valuable intermediates. This transformation highlights the ability of concentrated sulfuric acid to facilitate elimination reactions, driving the conversion of alcohols to alkenes efficiently.

In summary, the correct outcome of decomposing alcohols with concentrated sulfuric acid is the formation of alkenes due to the dehydration process, which is a key concept in organic chemistry.