Dehydration of 2-butanol

[jzq]

When 2-butanol undergoes E1 dehydration, 3 alkenes are obtained. cis-but-2-ene, trans-but-2-ene, and but-1-ene. Which alkene would you predict to be formed in greatest abundance? How do you know?

[jzq]

Ok I know that the but-1-ene will form with least abundance, but what about the other two cis and trans isomers? Will they form in equal abundance? That's what I predict, but I just want to make sure. If anyone knows for sure, please reply. Thanks.

[joemannix]

trans isomer will be more abundant becouse the bulkiest groups will be farthest apart from each other.