Which of the following alcohols forms the most stable carbocation upon the loss of an OH ⁻ ion?

Step-by-step solution

Loss of an OH ⁻ ion from the given alcohols results in the formation of the following carbocations: (A) ( CH ₃)₃ C - CH ₂⁺ : Primary carbocation, lacks resonance stabilization. (B) C ₆ H ₅ CH ₂ CH ₂⁺ : Primary carbocation, lacks resonance stabilization as the positive charge is not adjacent to the benzene ring. (C) C ₆ H ₅ CH ₂⁺ (Benzyl carbocation): Highly stabilized by resonance due to the delocalization of the positive charge over the benzene ring. (D) CH ₃ CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂⁺ : Primary carbocation, lacks resonance