In the E1 dehydration of 2-butanol, three alkenes are produced: cis-but-2-ene, trans-but-2-ene, and but-1-ene. But-1-ene is expected to form in the least abundance. The discussion suggests that the trans isomer will be more abundant than the cis isomer due to steric factors, as the bulkier groups are positioned farther apart in the trans configuration. There is uncertainty about whether the cis and trans isomers will form in equal amounts, but the consensus leans towards the trans isomer being favored. Overall, the trans-but-2-ene is predicted to be the major product in this reaction.
