See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Solution **Step 1: Identify the starting material** The starting compound is tetralin (tetrahydronaphthalene), a bicyclic aromatic-aliphatic system. **Step 2: First reaction - Oxidation with dilute $KMnO_4$ (cold)** Dilute cold $KMnO_4$ selectively oxidizes the aliphatic benzylic and allylic C-H bonds adjacent to the aromatic ring. This hydroxylates the benzylic positions (carbons connected to the aromatic ring system), converting them to **hydroxyl groups ($-OH$)**. Product **A** is 1,2-dihydroxytetralin with two $OH$ groups on the same bridging carbon. **Step 3: Second reaction - Treatment with $(CH_3COO)_2Pb$ (lead acetate)** Lead tetraacetate is a selective **oxidative acetylation reagent**. It converts alcohols to acetate esters via the mechanism: - The $Pb(IV)$ center abstracts an electron from the $OH$ group - The acetate ligand transfers to form $-OCOCH_3$ (acetate ester) Both hydroxyl groups on the bridging carbon are converted to acetate ester groups: $-OCOCH_3$ **Step 4: Identify Product B** Product **B** is the **diacetate ester**: tetralin with two $CH_3COO$ groups on the bridging carbon. This matches **option (B)** in the provided structures, showing the characteristic diacetate substitution pattern on the same carbon bridge.