The reagent involved in the Clemmensen reduction of carbonyl compound is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Zinc amalgam and HCl
Clemmensen Reduction:
- Used to convert carbonyl compounds (aldehydes/ketones) → alkanes
- Reagent: Zn(Hg) / conc. HCl (zinc amalgam in hydrochloric acid)
Quick comparison of options:
- Sodium amalgam and HCl → Used in Birch reduction (not Clemmensen)
- Zinc amalgam and HCl → Clemmensen reduction → Correct
- KOH and ethylene glycol → Wolff-Kishner reduction (alternative to Clemmensen)
- Zinc amalgam and HNO₃ → Not used (HNO₃ is oxidizing, not reducing)