Answer:
c) H2O and HSO4-
Explanation:
The dehydration of 2-methylcyclohexanol occurs in the presence of H2SO4. Recall that acids are proton donors in solution; the equilibrium shown below is then set up,
H2SO4(aq) + H2O(l) ⇄H3O^+(aq) + HSO4^-(aq)
The species H2O and HSO4- are two proton acceptors in the system. According to the Brownstead- Lowry definition, a base is a proton acceptor in solution.
Hence H2O and HSO4- are bases present in the dehydration of 2-methylcyclohexanol.