Compound P on oxidation with acidic KMn O₄ gives an acid that is less acidic than benzoic acid. Compound Q on reduction with Sn/HCl followed by neutralization gives an amine that is less basic than aniline. Identify P and Q from the given options:

Step-by-step solution

For compound P to yield an acid less acidic than benzoic acid upon oxidation, the resulting benzoic acid derivative must contain an electron-donating group (EDG) that destabilizes the carboxylate conjugate base. The - OCH ₃ group in p -methoxytoluene exerts a +M effect, making p -methoxybenzoic acid a weaker acid than benzoic acid. If P were p -nitrotoluene, it would yield p -nitrobenzoic acid, which is stronger due to the -M effect of - NO ₂ . For compound Q to yield an amine less basic than aniline upon reduction