[Sis290025]

According to the microscale dehydration of 2-methylcyclohexanol experiment, two isomers can be formed:  1-methycyclohexene and 3-methylcyclohexene. Which isomer do you expect to be the predominant product? 

Would the predominant isomer be 1-methylcyclohexene? From Saytzeff's rule, it states that in the formation of an alkene hydrogen is lost from the C atom, which has fewer H atoms, that is next to C atom bonded to the leaving group. The C atom bonded to the CH3 group only has 1 H.   

Thanks.

[Yggdrasil]

Yes, 1-methylcyclohexene will be the predominant product.  Another way to look at it is that 1-methylcyclohexene is the more stable product since more highly substituted alkenes are more stable (due to hyperconjugation).

[Sis290025]

I have another question about the general dehydration experiment.

Why is the alkene that was distilled from the dehydration reaction washed with a base solution?

Is this to neutralize the remaining traces of acid?

Thanks again.