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

Step 1 : Formation of protonated alcohol

Step 2 : Formation of carbocation : it is the slowest step and hence the rate determining step of the reaction

Step 3 : Formation of ethene by ellimination of a proton