In Clemmensen's reduction , the catalyst used is

Options

A. `Zn - Hg + Conc. HCl`
B. `NH_(2)NH_(2) + C_(2)H_(5)ONa`
C. `PdCl_(2)//H_2O`
D. `(C_(6)H_(5)) P + C_(2)H_(5)ONa`

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Clemmensen Reduction**: Clemmensen reduction is a chemical reaction used to reduce carbonyl compounds (like ketones and aldehydes) to their corresponding hydrocarbons.

2. **Identifying the Catalyst**: In this reduction process, a specific catalyst is required. The catalyst used in Clemmensen reduction is zinc amalgam.

3. **Composition of Zinc Amalgam**: Zinc amalgam is a mixture of zinc (Zn) and mercury (Hg). It is often used in conjunction with concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) to facilitate the reduction reaction.

4. **Mechanism of the Reaction**: During the reaction, the carbonyl (C=O) group of the compound is converted into a methylene (CH2) group. This transformation effectively reduces the carbonyl compound to an alkane.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the catalyst used in Clemmensen's reduction is zinc amalgam (Zn-Hg) along with concentrated HCl.

**Final Answer**: The catalyst used in Clemmensen's reduction is zinc amalgam (Zn-Hg) with concentrated HCl.

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