Chemistry - ALCOHOL & ETHER Question with Solution | TestHub

Question Explanation: Counting transition states in an acid-catalyzed alcohol dehydration with ring expansion.

Concept: Reaction Mechanism and Transition States.

Solution: The conversion involves the following steps, each with its own transition state:

1. Protonation of the $-$OH group (TS₁).

2. Loss of H₂O to form a carbocation (TS₂).

3. Ring expansion from a 4-membered to a 5-membered ring (TS₃).

4. Hydration (attack of H₂O) on the new carbocation (TS₄).

5. Deprotonation to yield the final alcohol product (TS₅).

Total number of elementary steps = 5, and each elementary step involves one transition state.

Final Answer: (5)