Chemistry · Alcohols, Phenols and Ether
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What is the product of the reaction between benzaldehyde and an excess of ethanol (C2H5OH) in the presence of anhydrous HCl? Choose correct option.
- A
A
- B
B
- C
C
- D
D
Aldehydes react with one equivalent of monohydric alcohol in the presence of dry hydrogen chloride to yield alkoxy alcohol intermediate, known as hemiacetals, which further react with one more molecule of alcohol to give a compound known as acetal.
This option is incorrect as it does not account for the reaction mechanism between benzaldehyde and ethanol in the presence of anhydrous HCl.
This option describes an esterification process involving benzoic acid, which is not applicable to the given reactants of benzaldehyde and ethanol.
Correct. An aldehyde reacts with two equivalents of alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst like HCl to form an acetal. Here, benzaldehyde reacts with ethanol to yield benzaldehyde diethyl acetal.
This option lacks explanation and does not relate to the acetal formation from benzaldehyde and ethanol.
Tagged under Chemistry · Alcohols, Phenols and Ether · 2016