Practicing Success
What happens when a ketone is treated with amalgamated zinc (Hg-Zn) and concentrated hydrochloric acid? |
Alkane is formed Alcohol is formed Alkylhalide is formed Acid is formed |
Alkane is formed |
The correct answer is option 1. Alkane is formed. When a ketone is treated with amalgamated zinc \((Hg-Zn)\) and concentrated hydrochloric acid \((HCl)\), a reduction reaction occurs known as the Clemmensen reduction. Here is what happens: Alkane is formed Clemmensen Reduction: Amalgamated zinc \((Hg-Zn)\) in the presence of concentrated hydrochloric acid \((HCl)\) reduces ketones to alkanes. This reduction is a powerful method for converting ketones into alkanes under acidic conditions. The zinc amalgam acts as a reducing agent, providing electrons to the carbonyl carbon, leading to the formation of a carbanion intermediate. The acidic conditions help in protonating the oxygen of the intermediate, leading to the elimination of water (dehydration), followed by further reduction to form the corresponding alkane.
|