AIIMS 2014 Chemistry Organic Chemistry MCQ Question

The correct answer is C (II and IV) because when a Grignard reagent reacts with an aldehyde (like C2H5CHO, which is a primary aldehyde), it forms a secondary alcohol after hydrolysis, as the Grignard reagent adds to the carbonyl carbon. In contrast, for the ester RCOOC2H5 (IV), the reaction with the Grignard reagent produces a tertiary alcohol after hydrolysis due to the formation of a ketone intermediate, which is not applicable to the question. Therefore, both II (C2H5CHO) and IV (RCOOC2H5) lead to secondary alcohols in the case of a secondary outcome from the aldehyde reaction.