Identify the major product formed in the following reaction sequence.

Step-by-step solution

The given starting material is ethyl 4-oxobutanoate, which contains both an aldehyde group and an ester group. Step (i): The reaction with ethylene glycol ( HOCH ₂ CH ₂ OH ) in the presence of an acid catalyst ( H ^+ ) selectively protects the more reactive aldehyde group, forming a cyclic acetal (1,3-dioxolane derivative). The less reactive ester group remains unaffected. Step (ii): Lithium aluminum hydride ( LiAlH ₄ ) is a strong reducing agent that reduces the ester group to a primary alcohol ( -CH ₂ OH ). The c