When 2-bromobutane is treated with aqueous KOH , the major product formed is P . When the same alkyl halide is treated with alcoholic KOH and heated, the major product formed is Q . Identify P and Q .

Step-by-step solution

When 2-bromobutane is treated with aqueous KOH , it undergoes nucleophilic substitution. The hydroxide ion acts as a nucleophile and replaces the bromide ion, yielding butan-2-ol as the major product P . When 2-bromobutane is treated with alcoholic KOH and heated, it undergoes -elimination (dehydrohalogenation). The hydroxide or alkoxide ion acts as a base, removing a proton from the -carbon. According to Zaitsev's rule, the more highly substituted alkene is formed as the major product. Thus, but-2-ene is the major