Which of the following compounds is a stable hydrate?

Step-by-step solution

Generally, gem-diols (hydrates) are unstable and readily lose a water molecule to form the corresponding carbonyl compounds. However, they can be exceptionally stable under certain conditions: 1. Presence of strong electron-withdrawing groups: In chloral hydrate (Option B), the strongly electron-withdrawing -CCl₃ group increases the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon, favoring hydration. The hydrate is further stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the -OH groups and the chlorine atoms. Similarl