See image — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Concept: When an ester R-CO2-R' is reduced by LiAlH4, it yields two alcohols: R-CH2OH (from the acyl portion) and R'-OH (from the alkoxy portion). If both portions give the same alcohol, only a single alcohol product is obtained overall. Step 1: Analyze option (a) CH3CH2CO2CH2CH3 (ethyl propanoate). - Acyl portion: CH3CH2CO- → reduces to CH3CH2CH2OH (1-propanol) - Alkoxy portion: -OCH2CH3 → gives CH3CH2OH (ethanol) - Two different alcohols are produced. Does not satisfy the condition. Step 2: Analyze option (b) C6H5CO2CH2C6H5 (benzyl benzoate). - Acyl portion: C6H5CO- → reduces to C6H5CH2OH (benzyl alcohol) - Alkoxy portion: -OCH2C6H5 → gives C6H5CH2OH (benzyl alcohol) - Both portions yield benzyl alcohol (C6H5CH2OH). Two molecules of the same single alcohol are produced. This satisfies the condition. Step 3: Analyze option (c) C6H5CO2C6H5 (phenyl benzoate). - Acyl portion: C6H5CO- → reduces to C6H5CH2OH (benzyl alcohol) - Alkoxy portion: -OC6H5 → gives C6H5OH (phenol) - Two different products are produced. Does not satisfy the condition. Step 4: Since option (b) satisfies the condition, option (d) 'None of these' is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is B.