Question

Write an equation for Clemensen reduction

Answer 1

Clemensen Reduction

The Clemensen reduction involves the reduction of carbonyl compounds (such as aldehydes or ketones) to hydrocarbons using zinc amalgam (Zn-Hg) and hydrochloric acid (HCl).

The reaction for the reduction of a carbonyl compound, for example acetone \(( \text{CH}_3\text{COCH}_3 )\), is:

\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COCH}_3 \; \xrightarrow[\text{HCl}]{\text{Zn-Hg}} \; \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]