On reduction with Na-Hg and water a carbohydrate gives a mixture of sorbitol and mannitol. The carbohydrate can be

Options

A. Glucose
B. fructose
C. cane sugar
D. lactose

Explanation

To determine which carbohydrate gives a mixture of sorbitol and mannitol upon reduction with Na-Hg and water, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Reduction Process
Reduction of carbohydrates typically involves converting carbonyl groups (aldehydes or ketones) into alcohols. In this case, we are looking for a carbohydrate that, when reduced, yields both sorbitol and mannitol.

**Hint:** Remember that sorbitol and mannitol are both sugar alcohols derived from the reduction of sugars.

### Step 2: Identify Sorbitol and Mannitol
Sorbitol (D-sorbitol) and mannitol (D-mannitol) are both hexitols (six-carbon sugar alcohols). Their structures can be represented as follows:
- Sorbitol: C6H14O6
- Mannitol: C6H14O6

Both have the same molecular formula but differ in the arrangement of hydroxyl groups.

**Hint:** Look at the structural differences between sorbitol and mannitol to understand how they are derived from sugars.

### Step 3: Determine the Source Carbohydrate
The carbohydrate that can yield both sorbitol and mannitol upon reduction is fructose. Fructose is a ketohexose, which means it contains a ketone group. When fructose is reduced, it can form both sorbitol and mannitol.

**Hint:** Recall that fructose has a ketone functional group, which can lead to the formation of both sugar alcohols upon reduction.

### Step 4: Write the Reaction
When fructose (C6H12O6) is reduced using Na-Hg and water, it can be converted into a mixture of sorbitol and mannitol. The reduction process involves the addition of hydrogen atoms to the carbonyl group, resulting in the formation of alcohol groups.

**Hint:** Visualize the reduction process by drawing the structural formulas of fructose, sorbitol, and mannitol to see how the transformation occurs.

### Conclusion
The carbohydrate that gives a mixture of sorbitol and mannitol upon reduction with Na-Hg and water is **fructose**.

**Final Answer:** The carbohydrate can be fructose.