Predict the major organic product of the reaction sequence below:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction sequence involves a Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzene with acetyl chloride in the presence of AlCl3 to form compound II. This is followed by a Clemmensen reduction of the carbonyl group in II with Zn(Hg) and HCl to form compound III. Compound III is then oxidized with HNO3/H2SO4 to give compound IV, which undergoes a Wittig reaction with CH2PPh3 and BuLi to yield compound V. The major product formed in this reaction sequence is compound II, as it is the only compound that is not further reacted in the subsequent steps.

Predict the Major Organic Product of the Reaction Sequence Below