Reduction of methylbenzoate `(C_(6)H_(5)COOCH_(3))` to benzyl alcohol `(C_(6)HCH_(2)OH)` can be accomplished using

Options

A. `H_(2)//Pd`
B. `LiAIH_(4)`
C. `NaBH_(4)`
D. Zn-Hg/HCl

Answer

To solve the reduction of methylbenzoate `(C_(6)H_(5)COOCH_(3))` to benzyl alcohol `(C_(6)H_(5)CH_(2)OH)`, we need to analyze the given reagents and determine which one can effectively carry out this transformation.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reaction Type**:
- The transformation from methylbenzoate to benzyl alcohol is a reduction reaction. This means we need a reducing agent that can convert the ester group in methylbenzoate to an alcohol.

2. **Examine the Given Reagents**:
- The options provided are:
1. Hydrogen with palladium
2. Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4)
3. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4)
4. Zinc mercury amalgam with HCl

3. **Evaluate Each Reagent**:
- **Hydrogen with Palladium**:
- This is a common catalyst for hydrogenation reactions, typically used for alkenes and alkynes. It can reduce certain functional groups but is not effective for esters like methylbenzoate.
- **Lithium Aluminium Hydride (LiAlH4)**:
- This is a strong reducing agent capable of reducing esters, carboxylic acids, and other carbonyl compounds to their corresponding alcohols. It can reduce methylbenzoate to benzyl alcohol effectively.
- **Sodium Borohydride (NaBH4)**:
- This is a milder reducing agent that can reduce aldehydes and ketones to alcohols, but it is generally not effective for esters. Therefore, it cannot convert methylbenzoate to benzyl alcohol.
- **Zinc Mercury Amalgam with HCl**:
- This is also a weak reducing agent and is not suitable for reducing esters to alcohols.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The only reagent that can effectively reduce methylbenzoate to benzyl alcohol is **Lithium Aluminium Hydride (LiAlH4)**. Therefore, the correct answer is **Lithium Aluminium Hydride**.

### Final Answer:
The reduction of methylbenzoate `(C_(6)H_(5)COOCH_(3))` to benzyl alcohol `(C_(6)H_(5)CH_(2)OH)` can be accomplished using **Lithium Aluminium Hydride (LiAlH4)**.