Question

The major product formed in the following reaction is

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

 Reaction mechanism: Lithium borohydride (LiBH$_4$) is a selective reducing agent that reduces esters (CO$_2$Et) to alcohols while leaving carboxylic acids (CO$_2$H) unchanged.

Step-by-step process:
Option (A) The ester group (CO$_2$Et) is reduced by LiBH$_4$ in ethanol (EtOH) to form a primary alcohol (-CH$_2$CH$_2$OH).
Option (B) The carboxylic acid group (CO$_2$H) remains unchanged during the reaction.
Option (C) Protonation with H$_3$O$^+$ ensures the stability of the final product.

The final product contains an unchanged carboxylic acid group and a newly formed primary alcohol group, corresponding to option (4).