Question

The correct structure of product ‘A’ formed in the following reaction, 

(Ph is – C₆H₅) is

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The reaction given involves the use of sodium deuteroxide (\text{NaOD}) in deuterium oxide (\text{D}_2\text{O}), which suggests a deuterium exchange reaction.

The starting reactant, benzaldehyde (PhCHO), is a typical substrate for aldol condensation reactions. However, due to the specific conditions (use of \text{NaOD} in \text{D}_2\text{O}), the likely product involves deuterium incorporation.

The reaction proceeds as follows:

1. The deprotonation of the aldehyde's alpha hydrogen by \text{NaOD} forms a carbanion.
2. Due to the presence of \text{D}_2\text{O}, the carbanion undergoes deuterium exchange, placing a deuterium atom at the alpha position.
3. The reaction leads to the formation of a product 'A' with a deuterium atom at the alpha position relative to the aldehyde group.

Thus, the correct structure of product ‘A’ is the structure that has a deuterium atom at the α-position.

The depicted product corresponds to the option above, indicating the correct addition of deuterium. Other options either lack deuterium or show incorrect structural modifications.