The correct statement about the synthesis of erythritol C C H 2 O H 4 used in the preparation of PETN is

The correct statement about the synthesis of erythritol CCH2OH4 used in the preparation of PETN is
  1. The synthesis requires three aldol condensations and one Cannizzaro reaction.
  2. Alpha hydrogen of ethanol and methanol are involved in this reaction.
  3. The synthesis requires two aldol condensation and two Cannizzaro reactions.
  4. The synthesis requires four aldol condensations between methanol and ethanol.

Solution

The first three steps are Aldol condensations followed by one Cannizzaro reaction step in presence of base. In final step a salt of formic acid will also be formed as side product.

Asked in: JEE Main 2016 (10 Apr Online)

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