Reduction of aldehydes and ketones into hydrocarbons using `Zn - Hg + HCl`called.

Options

A. Wolf-Kishner Reduction
B. Clemmensen Reduction
C. Cope Reduction
D. Dow Reduction

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reduction of aldehydes and ketones into hydrocarbons using `Zn - Hg + HCl`, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reaction**: The reaction in question involves the reduction of aldehydes and ketones. The reagents used are zinc amalgam (Zn-Hg) and hydrochloric acid (HCl).

2. **Name the Reaction**: This specific reduction process is known as the **Clemensen Reduction**. It is a well-known method for converting carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) into their corresponding hydrocarbons.

3. **Understand the Mechanism**: In the Clemensen reduction, the carbonyl group (C=O) in aldehydes or ketones is reduced to a methylene group (–CH2–). The general reaction can be represented as follows:
- For an aldehyde:
\[ RCHO + Zn-Hg + HCl \rightarrow RCH2 + ZnCl2 + H2O \]
- For a ketone:
\[ R_2C=O + Zn-Hg + HCl \rightarrow R_2CH2 + ZnCl2 + H2O \]

4. **Products Formed**: The products of the reaction include the corresponding hydrocarbon (alkane), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), and water (H2O).

5. **Example Reactions**:
- For an aldehyde (e.g., acetaldehyde):
\[ CH3CHO + Zn-Hg + HCl \rightarrow CH3CH2 + ZnCl2 + H2O \]
- For a ketone (e.g., acetone):
\[ (CH3)2CO + Zn-Hg + HCl \rightarrow (CH3)2CH2 + ZnCl2 + H2O \]

6. **Conclusion**: The reduction of aldehydes and ketones using zinc amalgam and hydrochloric acid is specifically termed the **Clemensen Reduction**.