MHT CET Medical202624 April 2026Evening ShiftChemistryAldehydes and KetonesActual
Which of the following reagents gives the same reduction product with propionaldehyde and acetone ?
Options
- ALiAlH ₄
- BNi / H ₂
- CNa-Hg / HCl
- DZn-Hg / Conc HCl
Correct answer
D. Zn-Hg / Conc HCl
Step-by-step solution
Propionaldehyde is CH₃CH₂CHO and acetone is CH₃COCH₃ . Reduction with LiAlH₄ , Ni / H₂ , or Na-Hg / HCl converts propionaldehyde to 1-propanol ( CH₃CH₂CH₂OH ) and acetone to 2-propanol ( CH₃CH(OH)CH₃ ), which are different products. Reduction with Zn-Hg / Conc. HCl (Clemmensen reduction) reduces the carbonyl group to a methylene group. Thus, both propionaldehyde and acetone are reduced to propane ( CH₃CH₂CH₃ ), giving the same product. Answer: Zn-Hg / Conc HCl