In Clemmensen Reduction carbonyl compound is treated with ________

Options

A. Zinc amalgam +HCl
B. Sodium amalgam +HCl
C. zinc amalgam + nitric acid
D. Sodium amalgam +`HNO_3`

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Clemmensen Reduction**: Clemmensen reduction is a chemical reaction used to convert carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) into their corresponding hydrocarbons. This is achieved through the reduction of the carbonyl group.

2. **Identifying the Reagents**: The key reagents used in the Clemmensen reduction are zinc amalgam (which is a mixture of zinc and mercury) and hydrochloric acid (HCl).

3. **Reaction Mechanism**:
- In the presence of zinc amalgam and HCl, the carbonyl group (C=O) of the carbonyl compound is reduced.
- The carbonyl compound can be represented as R-C(=O)-R', where R and R' are hydrocarbon groups.
- During the reaction, the carbonyl group is converted to a methylene group (–CH2–), resulting in the formation of an alkane.

4. **Final Product**: The final product of the Clemmensen reduction is an alkane, where the carbonyl group has been successfully reduced to a methylene group.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, in the Clemmensen reduction, the carbonyl compound is treated with **zinc amalgam and hydrochloric acid**.