What is the major product of each of the following reactions?
c.
d.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Analyze the reaction conditions for part (i). The reagent used is ethylmagnesium bromide (EtMgBr), a Grignard reagent, followed by ethanol (EtOH). Grignard reagents are nucleophiles that attack electrophilic carbonyl carbons, forming a new carbon-carbon bond.
2. Step 2: Identify the electrophilic site in the molecule for part (i). The aldehyde group (CHO) is the electrophilic site, and the Grignard reagent will attack the carbonyl carbon.
3. Step 3: Predict the intermediate for part (i). The attack of the Grignard reagent on the aldehyde will result in the formation of an alkoxide intermediate. This intermediate will then be protonated by ethanol to form the final alcohol product.
4. Step 4: Analyze the reaction conditions for part (ii). The reagent used is sodium borohydride (NaBH4), a reducing agent, followed by ethanol (EtOH). NaBH4 selectively reduces aldehydes and ketones to alcohols.
5. Step 5: Predict the product for part (ii). The aldehyde group (CHO) will be reduced to a primary alcohol. The double bond in the molecule will remain unaffected because NaBH4 does not reduce alkenes under these conditions.

Key Concepts

Grignard Reagents

Grignard reagents, such as EtMgBr, are organomagnesium compounds that act as nucleophiles in organic reactions. They can react with carbonyl compounds to form alcohols. In the given reaction, the Grignard reagent adds to the carbonyl carbon, leading to the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond, followed by protonation in the presence of ethanol.

Reduction Reactions

Reduction reactions involve the gain of electrons or the decrease in oxidation state of a molecule. In the context of organic chemistry, reducing agents like NaBH4 can convert carbonyl groups (aldehydes and ketones) into alcohols. The reaction shown in the second part of the question illustrates the reduction of a carbonyl compound to an alcohol using sodium borohydride.

Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry is the study of the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. In reactions involving carbonyl compounds, the stereochemistry of the product can be influenced by the approach of nucleophiles and the configuration of the starting material. Understanding stereochemistry is crucial for predicting the major product in reactions involving chiral centers.