AIIMS2018Chemistry-Organic Chemistry

AIIMS 2018 Chemistry Homologation Reactions MCQ Question

Type: MCQ-conceptual-Medium-Class 11

Which reaction is used for converting a lower carboxylic acid into its next higher homologue?

A

Curtius reaction

B

Baeyer - Villiger reaction

C

Darzenglycidic ester synthesis

D

Arndt - Eistert synthesis

Correct Answer

Option D

Detailed Explanation

The reaction sequence described involves the conversion of a lower carboxylic acid (R–COOH) to its next higher homologue through a series of steps: first, converting the acid to an acyl chloride (RCOCl) using thionyl chloride (SOCl₂), then reacting with diazomethane (CH₂N₂) to form an N-methylamide (RCOCHN₂), and finally hydrolyzing the amide with silver oxide (Ag₂O) and water (H₂O) to yield the higher carboxylic acid (RCH₂COOH). This transformation effectively adds a methylene (–CH₂–) group to the carboxylic acid, demonstrating the utility of diazomethane in carboxylic acid chemistry. Other options are not applicable as they do not provide relevant reactions or products related to this transformation, emphasizing the specificity of the reaction pathway outlined.

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