Predict the major product for the following reaction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction involves a nucleophilic substitution of the alcohol with the bromine. The alcohol acts as the nucleophile and replaces the bromine attached to the tertiary carbon. Since there are two possible bromine atoms that can be replaced, there are two possible products. However, the steric hindrance caused by the tertiary butyl group favors the substitution of the bromine atom that is attached to the less hindered carbon, resulting in the formation of product II as the major product.

Predict the Major Product for the Following Reaction