AIIMS 2010 Chemistry Reactions of Grignard Reagents with Esters MCQ Question

In this reaction, ethyl ester reacts with excess methylmagnesium bromide (CH₃MgBr), which is a Grignard reagent. Grignard reagents react with carbonyl compounds to form alcohols. In this case, the ethyl ester (RCOOEt) will undergo nucleophilic attack by the Grignard reagent, leading to the formation of a tertiary alcohol after hydrolysis. The excess Grignard reagent will convert the ester into an alcohol. The product P, after hydrolysis, will be ethane (H₃C-CH₃), which is the correct answer (A).

The other options are incorrect because:

• Option B (H₃C₂ C₂H₅) suggests a different alkane structure that does not result from the reaction.
• Option C (H₃C₂ OH) implies a simple alcohol without considering the reaction mechanism properly.
• Option D (H₃C₂ C₂H₅) is a repeat of option B. Thus, the correct product formed from this reaction is ethane (H₃C-CH₃).