Question

Which of the following is best method for reducing
3-bromopropanal to 1-bromopropane –
(a) Wolf-Kishner reduction
(b) Clemmenson reduction
(c) Either (a) or (b)
(d) Stephen's reduction

Answer 1

The best method for reducing  3-bromopropanal to 1-bromopropane –

(c) Either (a) or (b)

Converting 3-bromopropanal to 1-bromopropane is to be done by just reducing the carbonyl group -CHO to the methylene group -CH₂-, thereby forming alkanes and reducing aldehydes and ketones.

Wolf Kishner reduction reduces aldehydes or ketones into its respective alkanes with the help of hydrazene in KOH.

Clemmenson reduction reduces aldehydes or ketones into its respective alkanes with the help of zinc amalgam and conc. HCl.

So, both of the reactions can be used.

Stephen Reduction is used to reduced nitriles to aldehydes.

So it is not used here.

Thus, option (c) is correct.