Consider the following reaction sequence: [ (ii) LiAlH ₄] (i) HO(CH₂)₂OH / HCl P ₂ [ ] (iii) H₃O ^ P ₃ The major product P ₃ is:

Step-by-step solution

The reaction sequence proceeds as follows: 1. Formation of P ₁ : Cyclohexanone reacts with ethyl formate ( H-CO-OEt ) in the presence of a strong base, sodium ethoxide ( NaOEt ). The base abstracts an -proton from cyclohexanone to form an enolate, which then attacks the carbonyl carbon of ethyl formate. Elimination of the ethoxide ion yields a -keto aldehyde, 2-formylcyclohexanone ( P ₁ ). 2. Protection: P ₁ is treated with ethylene glycol ( HO(CH₂)₂OH ) and HCl . Between the ketone and the aldehyde groups, the ald