A chemist needs to reduce a ketone to an alkane using Clemmensen reduction. Which reagent combination is specifically required for this process?
Q1. A chemist needs to reduce a ketone to an alkane using Clemmensen reduction. Which reagent combination is specifically required for this process?
Answer: Zn-Hg / conc. HCl
Explanation: Clemmensen reduction uses Zn-Hg/HCl to reduce carbonyls to alkanes. It is unsuitable for acid-sensitive compounds, where Wolff-Kishner (basic) is preferred.