Question

An aromatic aldehyde (A) of molecular C₇H₆O reacts with acidified KMnO₄ to give (B) of molecular formula C₇H₆O₂ calcium salt of compound (B) on dry distillation gives (C) of molecular formula C₁₃H₁₀O Compound (C) on Clemmenson’s reduction, gives (D) of formula C₁₃H₁₂O. Identify A,B,C,D and explain the reaction involved

Answer 1

1. From the molecular formula (A) is identified as Benzaldehyde C₆H₅CHO.Benzaldehyde on reaction with acidified KMnO₄ undergoes oxidation to give Benzoic acid as compound (B)

2. Calcium salt of Benzoic acid on dry distillaiton gives Benzophenone as compound (C)

3. Benzophenone undergoes Clemmenson reduction in the presence Zn amalgam and HCI gives Diphenyl methane as (D)