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JEE Main 2026 Apr 5 Shift 2, Chemistry Q15: Preparation of Carboxylic acids

JEE Main2026Apr 5, Shift 2Chemistry
Q.

Complete the following reaction sequence and give the name of major product 'P'.

  1. A

    2-Chloropropanoic acid

  2. B

    3-Chloropropanoic acid

  3. C

    1-Chloropropane

  4. D

    2-Chloropropane

Solution

Starting material is propanenitrile, .

Step (i)–(ii): basic hydrolysis followed by acidification converts the nitrile to propanoic acid, .

Step (iii)–(iv): this is the Hell–Volhard–Zelinsky reaction. with a trace of red phosphorus chlorinates at the -carbon, then aqueous workup gives the -chloro acid:

which is 2-chloropropanoic acid.

Concept behind this question

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