During the dehydration of alcohols to alkenes by heating with conc. `H_(2)SO_(4)`, the initiating step is `:`

Options

A. Protonation of alcohol molecule
B. Formation of carbocation
C. Elimination of water
D. Formation of an ester

Answer

A

Explanation

`H_(2)SO_(4)to H^(+)+ HSO_(4)^(-)`
`C_(2)H_(5)OH + H^(+) underset(" of alcohol")overset("Protonation")to underset("Protonated alcohol")(C_(2)H_(5)-underset(H)underset(darr)overset(o+)O-H)`