Identify the product (P) in the following reaction: [figure]
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Answer
(4) [figure]
Solution
HVZ reaction: an acid with α-H, Br2/red P and then H2O gives the α-bromo acid.
[figure]
Red P and Br2 give PBr3, which turns –COOH into –COBr; its enol takes Br at the α-carbon.
[figure]
(1): –COBr is only the intermediate and H2O hydrolyses it, so (1) is wrong
(2): –COOH is not reduced to –CHO, so (2) is wrong
(3): Br enters the α-carbon (the one carrying –COOH), not the β-carbon, so (3) is wrong
(4): α-bromo acid, so (4) is (P)
Answer: (4)