Sunday, April 9, 2017

organic chemistry - Are groups other than carbonyl reduced by Clemmensen reduction?


According to my textbook, Clemmensen reduction reduces only aldehydes and ketones to alkanes. But in this question:


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$\ce{Zn-Hg/HCl}$ has reduced both the ketonic and nitro group. Correct answer given is D.


So, what exactly is this reduction's mechanism? Is it an exception? If not, why isn't it stated in the books alongside the carbonyl groups?




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