What is the major product formed when ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2\text{C}({\text{CH}}_3)(\text{OH}){\text{CH}}_3$ is treated with concentrated ${\text{H}}_2{\text{SO}}_4$ at $443\text{ K}$?

Solution

1. The reaction involves the protonation of the hydroxyl group followed by the loss of water to form a tertiary carbocation.
2. The carbocation ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2{\text{C}}^{+}({\text{CH}}_3{)}_2$ can lose a proton from either the C1 or C3 position.
3. According to Saytzeff's rule, the more substituted alkene is the major product.
4. The product ${\text{CH}}_3\text{CH}=\text{C}({\text{CH}}_3{)}_2$ is more stable than ${\text{CH}}_2=\text{C}({\text{CH}}_3){\text{CH}}_2{\text{CH}}_3$.
5. Hence the answer is (B).