JEE MainChemistryHydrocarbons
Consider the following reaction sequence: n-heptane Cr₂O₃, 773 K , 10-20 atm A CrO₃, (CH₃CO)₂O, 273-283 K B H₃O^+, C Conc. NaOH D + E The intermediates B and C are respectively:
Options
- AB is Benzoic anhydride, C is Benzoic acid
- BB is Benzylidene diacetate, C is Benzaldehyde
- CB is Benzal chloride, C is Benzaldehyde
- DB is Benzylidene diacetate, C is Benzyl alcohol
Correct answer
B. B is Benzylidene diacetate, C is Benzaldehyde
Step-by-step solution
The aromatization of n-heptane over Cr₂O₃ at 773 K and high pressure yields toluene ( A ). Toluene is oxidized by chromic oxide ( CrO₃ ) in the presence of acetic anhydride. The reaction stops at the aldehyde stage because the intermediate formed is a gem-diacetate, specifically benzylidene diacetate ( B ), which is stable under the reaction conditions and prevents further oxidation to benzoic acid. Upon acid hydrolysis ( H₃O^+, ), the benzylidene diacetate ( B ) is converted to benzaldehyde ( C ). Benzaldehyde the