JEE Challenger
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Identify Major Organic Products Q R and S in Multi Step Reaction Sequence

Consider the reaction scheme depicted below, where Q\mathbf{Q}, R\mathbf{R}, and S\mathbf{S} represent the major organic products.

Question Diagram 1

Options

A

S\mathbf{S} is

Option A Diagram 1
Correct
B

Q\mathbf{Q} is

Option B Diagram 1
Correct
C

R\mathbf{R} is

Option C Diagram 1
Correct
D

S\mathbf{S} is

Option D Diagram 1

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the correct structures of the major organic products Q\mathbf{Q}, R\mathbf{R}, and S\mathbf{S}, we analyze the multi-step reaction sequence step by step:


Step 1: Formation of Product Q\mathbf{Q}

  • Reaction: Compound P\mathbf{P} is subjected to Friedel-Crafts acylation using succinic anhydride in the presence of Lewis acid AlCl3\text{AlCl}_3.
  • Regioselectivity: Compound P\mathbf{P} contains an aromatic ring substituted with a bulky tert-butyl group −C(CH3)3-\text{C}(\text{CH}_3)_3 and a fused five-membered ring having a gem-dimethyl group −C(CH3)2−-\text{C}(\text{CH}_3)_2- at one benzylic position and a methylene group −CH2−-\text{CH}_2- at the other. Electrophilic aromatic substitution occurs at the position that is least sterically hindered (ortho to the less bulky −CH2−-\text{CH}_2- group of the indan ring).
  • Product: The electrophilic attack of succinic anhydride yields a keto-acid: Q=Ar−C(=O)−CH2−CH2−COOH\mathbf{Q} = \text{Ar}-\text{C}(=\text{O})-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2-\text{COOH} This matches the structure shown in Option (B).

Step 2: Formation of Product R\mathbf{R}

  • Step (i) - Clemmensen Reduction (Zn-Hg / HCl\text{Zn-Hg / HCl}): The keto-acid Q\mathbf{Q} undergoes reduction of the aryl ketone group (−C(=O)−-\text{C}(=\text{O})-) to a methylene group (−CH2−-\text{CH}_2-), giving the 4-arylbutanoic acid intermediate: Ar−C(=O)−CH2−CH2−COOH→Zn-Hg / HClAr−CH2−CH2−CH2−COOH\text{Ar}-\text{C}(=\text{O})-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2-\text{COOH} \xrightarrow{\text{Zn-Hg / HCl}} \text{Ar}-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2-\text{COOH}

  • Step (ii) - Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts Acylation (H3PO4\text{H}_3\text{PO}_4): Heating with phosphoric acid (H3PO4\text{H}_3\text{PO}_4) promotes intramolecular cyclization of the carboxylic acid onto the adjacent open position of the benzene ring, forming a new six-membered ring fused to the aromatic core. The carbonyl group formed is located at the benzylic position: Ar−CH2−CH2−CH2−COOH→H3PO4R(a tetralone derivative)\text{Ar}-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2-\text{COOH} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_3\text{PO}_4} \mathbf{R} \quad (\text{a tetralone derivative}) This matches the structure shown in Option (C).


Step 3: Formation of Product S\mathbf{S}

  • Step (i) & (ii) - Grignard Addition and Acidic Workup (CH3MgBr\text{CH}_3\text{MgBr}, then H3O+\text{H}_3\text{O}^+): Methylmagnesium bromide (CH3MgBr\text{CH}_3\text{MgBr}) undergoes nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl group of tetralone R\mathbf{R}. Subsequent acidic workup yields a tertiary benzylic alcohol bearing a methyl group at the reaction site: Ketone (R)→(i) CH3MgBr,(ii) H3O+Tertiary Benzylic Alcohol\text{Ketone } (\mathbf{R}) \xrightarrow{\text{(i) }\text{CH}_3\text{MgBr}, \text{(ii) }\text{H}_3\text{O}^+} \text{Tertiary Benzylic Alcohol}

  • Step (iii) - Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration (H2SO4/Δ\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 / \Delta): Protonation of the tertiary alcohol followed by loss of a water molecule generates a stable benzylic carbocation. Elimination of a proton gives the thermodynamically favored, highly stable endocyclic alkene conjugated with the aromatic ring, which retains the methyl group attached to the double bond: Tertiary Alcohol→H2SO4/ΔS(conjugated endocyclic alkene with a methyl group)\text{Tertiary Alcohol} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 / \Delta} \mathbf{S} \quad (\text{conjugated endocyclic alkene with a methyl group})

This matches the structure shown in Option (A), while Option (D) is incorrect because it omits the methyl group introduced by the Grignard reagent.


Conclusion:

The correct options are A, B, and C.