Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Organic: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Question:

The reduction of cyclohexanone with $LiAlH_4$ will give:

Options:

Cyclohexanol

Cyclohexanaldehyde

Benzoic acid

Phenol

Correct Answer:

Cyclohexanol

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (1) → Cyclohexanol

$LiAlH_4$ is a strong reducing agent that reduces ketones to secondary alcohols.

Option 1: Cyclohexanol

Cyclohexanone is a ketone. $LiAlH_4$ donates hydride ($H^-$) to the carbonyl carbon, converting the C=O group into $-OH$.

Thus, ketone → secondary alcohol

Product formed is cyclohexanol.

Option 2: Cyclohexanaldehyde

Reduction does not convert ketones into aldehydes. Instead, aldehydes are formed by mild oxidation of primary alcohols.

Option 3: Benzoic acid

This is an oxidation product and unrelated to reduction of cyclohexanone.

Option 4: Phenol

Phenol formation would require aromatic ring formation, which does not occur in this reaction.