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Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids appeared 46 times across 3 years — 5.3% of Chemistry. This question is from Oxidation of Alkylbenzenes.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 14 21 11 46

The total number of compounds from below when treated with hot KMnO₄ giving benzoic acid is:
Alkylbenzene structures for Q37 - JEE Main 2025
The image lists seven distinct aromatic side-chain hydrocarbon structures to assess for side-chain oxidation.

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Side-chain oxidation criteria:

Ar-CH(R)₂ hot KMnO₄ Ar-COOH

Requires the presence of at least one benzylic hydrogen atom on the aromatic side chain structure.

Core Logic

Alkyl side chains on a benzene ring are oxidized entirely down to a carboxylic acid group (benzoic acid) by strong oxidizing agents like hot alkaline KMnO₄, provided the benzylic carbon contains at least one hydrogen atom.

Evaluating the structures from the diagram:

  • Toluene (contains 3 benzylic H) arrow Yields benzoic acid
  • Ethylbenzene (contains 2 benzylic H) arrow Yields benzoic acid
  • Isopropylbenzene / Cumene (contains 1 benzylic H) arrow Yields benzoic acid
  • tert-Butylbenzene (contains 0 benzylic H) arrow Resists oxidation
  • Isobutylbenzene (contains 2 benzylic H) arrow Yields benzoic acid
  • 2-Phenylpropan-2-ol (contains 0 benzylic H, tertiary alcohol center) arrow Resists oxidation
  • n-Propylbenzene (contains 2 benzylic H) arrow Yields benzoic acid
  • The last biphenyl derivative undergoes complex disruption or ring cleavages and does not cleanly yield simple benzoic acid under standard monocyclic oxidation definitions.
Step 1: Counting Valid Targets

The compounds that undergo oxidation to form benzoic acid are toluene, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, isobutylbenzene, and n-propylbenzene.

Total count = 5 compounds.

Structural evaluation summary for side-chain oxidation targets
The image lists seven distinct aromatic side-chain hydrocarbon structures to assess for side-chain oxidation.

Pattern Recognition

Look immediately at the benzylic carbon (the carbon bonded directly to the ring). If it is a quaternary center (like in tert-butylbenzene) or lacks a hydrogen atom entirely, mark it as unreactive to hot KMnO₄ side-chain oxidation.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Reference Study Guides

More Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Previous-Year Questions — Page 5

Q jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning Rearrangement and Ozonolysis
A molecule ("P") on treatment with acid undergoes rearrangement and gives ("Q") ("Q") on ozonolysis followed by reflux under alkaline condition gives ("R"). The structure of ("R") is given below:
Rearrangement and Ozonolysis product diagram for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.
The structure of (P) is
  • A.
  • B.
  • C.
  • D.

Solution

Core Logic

The reaction sequence indicates that molecule "P" undergoes an acid-catalyzed rearrangement to produce alkene/alcohol intermediate "Q". Subsequent ozonolysis breaks down the double bond system, and alkaline reflux sets up an intramolecular aldol condensation sequence to form the cyclic ketone system "R". Following the detailed ring contraction/expansion step templates outlined below:

Mechanism sequence step for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.

Mechanism sequence step for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.

Mechanism sequence step for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.

Mechanism sequence step for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.

Mechanism sequence step for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.

Mechanism sequence step for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.

Mechanism sequence step for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.

Mechanism sequence step for Q33 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The image displays the chemical structure of product R obtained from rearrangement and subsequent reaction steps.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Acidic rearrangement arrow ozonolysis arrow intramolecular aldol condensation. Shortcut: Work backwards from the dicarbonyl fragments formed after opening the final product ring system.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Q37 jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning Reactions of Carbonyl Compounds
Both acetaldehyde and acetone (individually) undergo which of the following reactions? A. Iodoform Reaction B. Cannizaro Reaction C. Aldol condensation D. Pollen's Test E. Clemmensen Reduction Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. A, B and D only
  • B. A, C and E only
  • C. C and E only
  • D. B, C and D only

Solution

Core Logic

Let us check each option pathway:

  • A. Iodoform Reaction: Positive for both because both contain the CH₃-C=O methyl ketone fragment.
  • B. Cannizaro Reaction: Negative for both because both contain α-hydrogens.
  • C. Aldol Condensation: Positive for both because they have α-hydrogens available for enolization.
  • D. Pollen's Test (Tollen's Test): Positive only for acetaldehyde (aldehyde); negative for acetone (ketone).
  • E. Clemmensen Reduction: Positive for both as they contain reducible carbonyl groups.
  • Thus, both react via A, C, and E.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Functional comparison of Acetaldehyde and Acetone. Shortcut: Ketones do not respond to Tollen's test, which instantly eliminates choices featuring statement D.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Q36 jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Iodoform Test
Number of molecules from below which cannot give iodoform reaction is : Ethanol, Isopropyl alcohol, Bromoacetone, 2-Butanol, 2-Butanone, Butanal, 2-Pentanone, 3-Pentanone, Pentanal and 3-Pentanol
  • A. 5
  • B. 4
  • C. 3
  • D. 2

Solution

Related Formula

Positive iodoform test requires presence of:

  • Methyl ketone: CH₃-C(=O)-R
  • Methyl carbinol: CH₃-CH(OH)-R
Core Logic

Evaluate each compound:

  • Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) arrow Gives test (Gives CHI₃)
  • Isopropyl alcohol (CH₃CH(OH)CH₃) arrow Gives test
  • Bromoacetone (BrCH₂COCH₃) arrow Gives test
  • 2-Butanol (CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CH₃) arrow Gives test
  • 2-Butanone (CH₃COCH₂CH₃) arrow Gives test
  • Butanal (CH₃CH₂CH₂CHO) arrow Does NOT give test
  • 2-Pentanone (CH₃COCH₂CH₂CH₃) arrow Gives test
  • 3-Pentanone (CH₃CH₂COCH₂CH₃) arrow Does NOT give test
  • Pentanal (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CHO) arrow Does NOT give test
  • 3-Pentanol (CH₃CH₂CH(OH)CH₂CH₃) arrow Does NOT give test
Step 1: Final Count

The 4 compounds that cannot give the iodoform reaction are: Butanal, 3-Pentanone, Pentanal, and 3-Pentanol.

Pattern Recognition

Requires CH₃-CO- or CH₃-CH(OH)- group. Aldehydes other than acetaldehyde do not give iodoform test. Symmetrical 3-ketones and 3-alcohols fail the test.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Q jee_main_2025_04_april_evening Iodoform Test
Which among the following compounds give yellow solid when reacted with NaOI/NaOH? (A) CH₃ - CH(OH) - C₂H₅ (B) CH₃ - CH₂ - CH₂ - OH (C) CH₃ - CO - C₂H₅ (D) CH₃-CO- OH (E) CH₃ - CH₂ - CHO Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. (B), (C) and (E) Only
  • B. (A) and (C) Only
  • C. (C) and (D) Only
  • D. (A), (C) and (D) Only

Solution

Related Formula
Compounds with CH₃-CH(OH)- or CH₃-CO- groups undergo the iodoform reaction to form CHI₃ (Yellow Solid)
Core Logic

Let's check the structural groups of each given option:

  • (A) CH₃ - CH(OH) - C₂H₅: Contains the methylcarbinol group (CH₃-CH(OH)-). Gives a positive iodoform test.
  • (B) CH₃ - CH₂ - CH₂ - OH: Linear primary alcohol, does not contain the required group.
  • (C) CH₃ - CO - C₂H₅: Contains the methyl ketone group (CH₃-CO-). Gives a positive iodoform test.
  • (D) CH₃ - OH: Methanol does not give the test.
  • (E) CH₃ - CH₂ - H: Ethane does not give the test.
  • Thus, only (A) and (C) yield the yellow precipitate of iodoform (CHI₃).

Step 1: Chemical Equations

The balanced haloform pathways occur as follows:

CH₃-CH(OH)-CH₂-CH₃ NaOI/NaOH CHI₃ + CH₃-CH₂-COO^-Na^+ CH₃-CO-CH₂-CH₃ NaOI/NaOH CHI₃ + CH₃-CH₂-COO^-Na^+
Pattern Recognition

The iodoform test specifically isolates methyl ketones or secondary methyl alcohols. Scan dynamically for a terminal -CH₃ affixed directly to a carbonyl oxygen index (C=O) or a hydroxyl carbon (CH-OH).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Class 12 Chemistry: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Q jee_main_2025_04_april_morning Aldol Condensation
Aldol condensation is a popular and classical method to prepare α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. This reaction can be both intermolecular and intramolecular. Predict which one of the following is not a product of intramolecular aldol condensation?
  • A.
  • B.
  • C.
  • D.

Solution

Related Reaction

Intramolecular aldol condensation of dicarbonyl compounds:

Dicarbonyl precursor [Δ]dil. base α,β-unsaturated cyclic carbonyl + H₂O

Intramolecular cyclization strongly favors the formation of stable 5- or 6-membered rings due to minimal ring strain.

Core Logic
  • Options A, B, and C: Each represents a clean intramolecular cyclization product derived from a single open-chain dicarbonyl precursor (dialdehyde or diketone) forming stable 5- or 6-membered conjugated enones.
  • Intramolecular vs intermolecular mechanism mapping diagram
    Intramolecular vs intermolecular mechanism mapping diagram

    Intramolecular vs intermolecular mechanism mapping diagram
    Intramolecular vs intermolecular mechanism mapping diagram

  • Option D: Features an exocyclic α,β-unsaturated linkage formed strictly via an intermolecular crossed-aldol condensation between two separate carbonyl molecules rather than an internal cyclization of a single dicarbonyl unit.
  • Intramolecular vs intermolecular mechanism mapping diagram
    Intramolecular vs intermolecular mechanism mapping diagram

Pattern Recognition

Trace the carbon backbone back to its precursor. Products of intramolecular aldol condensation originate from a single continuous dicarbonyl molecule closing into a stable 5- or 6-membered ring. An exocyclic enone linking a ring to an external carbonyl unit typically indicates an intermolecular reaction between two distinct molecules.

Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer

Option D

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

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