The major product formed in the following reaction is:
(i) LiBH4 EtOH major product (ii) H3O+
(A)(see structure)
(B)(see structure)
(C)(see structure)✓ Correct
(D)(see structure)
Answer: (C)
Solution
LiBH4 is a mild hydride reagent: it reduces esters to primary alcohols but leaves carboxylic acids untouched, because the carboxylate formed on deprotonation resists further hydride attack. In this substrate the ester arm −CH2CO2Et is reduced to the primary alcohol −CH2CH2OH, while the carboxylic acid arm −CH2CH2CO2H survives both the reduction and the acidic workup unchanged. The major product therefore retains its carboxylic acid group and carries a new primary alcohol where the ester once stood.
JEE Main · 2023 · 08 Apr 2023 · Shift 1 · Single correct option