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Question no. 14730

The Clemmensen reduction involves the conversion of___________________?

Select your answer for: The Clemmensen reduction involves the conversion of___________________?
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Answer: A. ketone

Explanation

The Clemmensen reduction is a chemical reaction used to convert aldehydes or ketones into alkanes. Zinc-amalgam and concentrated hydrochloric acid provide the reagents necessary for this deoxygenation. The carbonyl oxygen atom is completely removed and replaced by two hydrogen atoms. Reduction reactions in organic chemistry often involve replacing carbon-oxygen bonds with carbon-hydrogen bonds. Zinc-amalgam is an alloy of zinc and mercury that facilitates heterogeneous electron transfer reactions. Acidic reaction conditions distinguish the Clemmensen reduction from other base-catalyzed reductions.

Organic synthesis frequently employs the Clemmensen reduction to synthesize specific hydrocarbon derivatives. Removing carbonyl groups helps chemists build complex carbon skeletons without oxygen functional groups. This reaction is a classic method taught in advanced organic chemistry courses for functional group conversion. Ketones are valid targets, but aldehydes also undergo this reduction, making a broader answer necessary. Aldehydes are successfully reduced, meaning restricting the answer to only aldehydes is incomplete. All of the above is correct because both ketones and aldehydes are converted into alkanes.

Subject
Chemistry
Category
Chemistry
Topic
—
Difficulty
medium

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