Identify the major product formed in the following reaction sequence.

Step-by-step solution

Reaction of glutaric anhydride with MeOH leads to the opening of the anhydride ring, forming a monoester, monomethyl glutarate: HOOC-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -COOCH ₃ . The reaction with Red P and Br ₂ is the Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky (HVZ) reaction, which selectively brominates the -carbon adjacent to the free carboxylic acid group, yielding HOOC-CH(Br)-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -COOCH ₃ . Treatment with excess NH ₃ causes nucleophilic substitution of the bromide by an amino group, giving HOOC-CH(NH ₂ )-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -COOCH ₃ (the ester may al