JEE Main20268 April 2026Evening ShiftChemistryAldehydes and KetonesActual
Consider the following reaction. The major product (P) formed is:
Correct answer
2
Step-by-step solution
The reaction sequence proceeds as follows: The reagent NaBH ₄ is a mild reducing agent that selectively reduces the aldehyde group ( - CHO ) to a primary alcohol ( - CH ₂ OH ). The lactam (cyclic amide) ring remains unaffected. Heating with aqueous NaOH causes the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of the lactam ring. The amide bond breaks, forming a carboxylate salt ( - COO ^- ) and a secondary amine ( - NH - ). Acidification with H ₃ O ^+ protonates the carboxylate ion to form a carboxylic acid ( - COOH ). The final produ