When 2-methyl-3-pentyl tosylate was heated in n-butyl alcohol with no added base, the following alkenes were produced in the proportions indicated: 2-methyl-2-pentene,80%; 4-methyl-2-pentene,11%; 2-methyl-1-pentene, 9%.
a) Explain the mechanism of formation of the products.
b) Explain the relative proportion of the products on the basis of their structures.
c) Account for the fact that the 4-methyl-2-pentene produced was entirely the trans- isomer.