Identify the reagent used for Rosenmund reduction.

Identify the reagent used for Rosenmund reduction.
  1. $\mathrm{H}_2 / \mathrm{Ni}$
  2. $\mathrm{H}_2 / \mathrm{Pd}, \mathrm{BaSO}_4$
  3. $\mathrm{Na}-\mathrm{Hg} / \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$
  4. $\mathrm{SnCl}_2-\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$

Solution

The Rosenmund reduction selectively converts acyl chlorides to aldehydes using hydrogen gas over palladium on barium sulfate ($\mathrm{H}_2 / \mathrm{Pd}, \mathrm{BaSO}_4$). The barium sulfate serves as a catalyst poison, moderating the palladium's activity to prevent over-reduction to the alcohol.

$\mathrm{H}_2 / \mathrm{Ni}$ is a standard hydrogenation catalyst, while $\mathrm{Na}-\mathrm{Hg} / \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$ and $\mathrm{SnCl}_2-\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$ are unrelated, being employed in other reduction mechanisms.

The correct choice is $\boxed{\text{B}}$.

Asked in: MHT CET 2025 (05 May Shift 2)

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