This is due to the difference in their intermolecular forces. Cyclohexanol has hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole attractions, while cyclohexene has the Van der Waals dispersion forces. The hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole attractions are stronger forces than the Van der Waals dispersion forces.
9. Why is it proposed that the alcohol functional group is protonated by acid before dehydration can occur via an E1 or an E2 mechanism?
An acid-catalyst is used to protonate the alcohol because hydroxide is a strong base and poor leaving group. By protonating the hydroxide, it becomes water. Water is a weak base and better leaving group. Not all acids can be