Q. Acetophenone when reacted with a base, C₂H₅ONa, yields a stable compound which has the structure?
A) C₆H₅–CH(OH)–CH(OH)–C₆H₅
B) C₆H₅–C(CH₃)=CH–CO–C₆H₅
C) C₆H₅–CH(CH₃)–CH₂–CO–C₆H₅
D) C₆H₅–C(CH₃)(OH)–C(CH₃)(OH)–C₆H₅
Explanation
[Solution from source] Ethoxide removes an α-hydrogen from the CH₃ group, and the enolate attacks a second acetophenone (aldol addition). The β-hydroxy ketone then dehydrates to the conjugated α,β-unsaturated ketone C₆H₅C(CH₃)=CH–CO–C₆H₅, which is stabilised by conjugation. The diols are pinacol-type reduction products, not products of base-catalysed condensation. Answer (2).
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.