What would be the major product formed when (CH3)3 C– OH is heated at 358 K in the presenceof H3PO4 :

To determine the major product formed when (CH3)3C–OH is heated at 358 K in the presence of H3PO4, we need to consider the reaction mechanism.

When (CH3)3C–OH is heated in the presence of H3PO4, it undergoes an elimination reaction known as dehydration. In this reaction, a water molecule is eliminated from the (CH3)3C–OH molecule, resulting in the formation of an alkene.

The reaction mechanism involves the protonation of the hydroxyl group (–OH) by H3PO4, which converts it into a good leaving group (H2O). The protonated (CH3)3C–OH molecule then undergoes a concerted E1 elimination, where the leaving group (H2O) is expelled, and a double bond is formed between the carbon atoms.

The major product formed in this reaction is 2-methylpropene, also known as isobutylene. This is because the (CH3)3C–OH molecule is a tertiary alcohol, and the resulting alkene will have the most substituted carbon-carbon double bond, which is more stable.

Therefore, when (CH3)3C–OH is heated at 358 K in the presence of H3PO4, the major product formed is 2-methylpropene (isobutylene).