Predict the major, organic product for the following reaction.

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the functional groups in the starting material. The compound is a carboxylic acid, characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to the same carbon.
2. Recognize the reagent used in the reaction. Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) is a strong reducing agent commonly used to reduce carboxylic acids to primary alcohols.
3. Understand the mechanism of reduction. LiAlH4 donates hydride ions (H-) to the carbonyl carbon, breaking the C=O double bond and forming an alkoxide intermediate.
4. Consider the second step, which involves quenching with H+. This step protonates the alkoxide intermediate, converting it into an alcohol.
5. Predict the major product. The carboxylic acid group in the starting material is reduced to a primary alcohol, resulting in the formation of a benzyl alcohol derivative.