NEET2026ChemistryChapterActual
Identify the major product (P) formed in the given reaction.
Options
- A1-ethyl-4-propylbenzene
- B1-(4-propylphenyl)ethan-1-ol
- C4-ethylbenzaldehyde
- D1-ethyl-4-propylcyclohexane
Correct answer
A. 1-ethyl-4-propylbenzene
Step-by-step solution
The given reaction uses Zn-Hg and conc. HCl, which are the reagents for Clemmensen reduction. Clemmensen reduction reduces aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alkanes by converting the carbonyl group ( >C=O ) into a methylene group ( -CH₂- ). The aromatic benzene ring remains unaffected. In the given reactant: - The acetyl group ( -COCH₃ ) is a ketone and gets reduced to an ethyl group ( -CH₂CH₃ ). - The terminal aldehyde group in -CH₂CH₂CHO gets reduced to a methyl group, converting the entire chain into