Identify the major product formed when 2-Methylhexan-3-ol is heated with concentrated sulphuric acid.

Step-by-step solution

Dehydration of 2-methylhexan-3-ol with concentrated H₂ SO₄ proceeds via an E1 mechanism. Protonation of the hydroxyl group forms an oxonium ion, which loses water to yield a secondary carbocation at C3. To enhance stability, a 1,2-hydride shift occurs from the adjacent carbon, converting the secondary carbocation into a tertiary carbocation at C2: CH₃-C+(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃ . Elimination follows Zaitsev's rule, favoring formation of the most substituted alkene. Deprotonation from C3 generates the trisubstituted al