The product (P) formed in the following reaction is:
To solve this problem, we need to identify the product of a Clemmensen reduction on the given compound.
1. Understanding Clemmensen Reduction:
The Clemmensen reduction uses zinc amalgam (Zn-Hg) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) to reduce carbonyl groups (ketones and aldehydes) to alkane groups (-CH₂- or -CH₃).
2. Identifying Reactive Groups:
In the starting material, we have a ketone, an aldehyde, and an ester group. Clemmensen reduction affects ketones and aldehydes, but not esters.
3. Predicting Reduction Products:
The ketone will be reduced to a -CH₂- group. The aldehyde will be reduced to a -CH₃ group. The ester will remain unchanged.
4. Evaluating the Options:
We need to choose the option where the ketone is reduced to -CH₂-, the aldehyde is reduced to -CH₃, and the ester remains an ester.
5. Selecting the Correct Answer:
Option (2) correctly shows the ketone reduced to -CH₂-, the aldehyde reduced to -CH₃, and the ester group unchanged.
Final Answer:
The correct product (P) is (2).