JEE Main 2026 — Chemistry Organic Chemistry

2026mcqmedium

An organic compound " $x$ " where molar ratio of C, O and H are equal, on treatment with $50\%$ KOH under reflux followed by acidification produced " $y$ ". The most likely structure of " $y$ " is:

[Molar mass of ' $x$ ' is $58$ g mol $^{-1}$ ]

Official previous-year question

Held on 2 Apr 2026 · Verified 6 Jul 2026.

Options

A
$CH_2 = CH - \overset{O}{\underset{\|}{C}} - OH$
B
$CH_3 - CH = CH - CH = O$
C
$O = C - OH, \, CH_2 - OH$ (with C-C bond)
D
$CH_3 - \overset{O}{\underset{\|}{C}} - OH$

Did you get this right?

Solution

Given the molar ratio of C, O, and H in compound $x$ is equal, the empirical formula is $CHO$ .

Empirical mass $= 12 + 1 + 16 = 29$ g mol $^{-1}$ .

Since the molar mass of $x$ is $58$ g mol $^{-1}$ , the molecular formula is $(CHO)_2$ or $C_2H_2O_2$ .

The structure of $x$ is glyoxal, $OHC-CHO$ .

Treatment of glyoxal with $50\%$ KOH under reflux results in an intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction. One aldehyde group is oxidized to a carboxylate ion, and the other is reduced to a primary alcohol.

$OHC-CHO \xrightarrow{50\% \text{ KOH}} HOCH_2-COO^{-}K^{+}$

Subsequent acidification yields glycolic acid ( $y$ ).

$HOCH_2-COO^{-}K^{+} \xrightarrow{H^{+}} HOCH_2-COOH$

The structure of $y$ is $HO-CH_2-COOH$ .

Answer: $O = C - OH, \, CH_2 - OH$ (with C-C bond)

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Options

$CH_2 = CH - \overset{O}{\underset{\|}{C}} - OH$

$CH_3 - CH = CH - CH = O$

$O = C - OH, \, CH_2 - OH$ (with C-C bond)

$CH_3 - \overset{O}{\underset{\|}{C}} - OH$

Solution

Given the molar ratio of C, O, and H in compound $x$ is equal, the empirical formula is $CHO$ .

Empirical mass $= 12 + 1 + 16 = 29$ g mol $^{-1}$ .

Since the molar mass of $x$ is $58$ g mol $^{-1}$ , the molecular formula is $(CHO)_2$ or $C_2H_2O_2$ .

The structure of $x$ is glyoxal, $OHC-CHO$ .

Treatment of glyoxal with $50\%$ KOH under reflux results in an intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction. One aldehyde group is oxidized to a carboxylate ion, and the other is reduced to a primary alcohol.

$OHC-CHO \xrightarrow{50\% \text{ KOH}} HOCH_2-COO^{-}K^{+}$

Subsequent acidification yields glycolic acid ( $y$ ).

$HOCH_2-COO^{-}K^{+} \xrightarrow{H^{+}} HOCH_2-COOH$

The structure of $y$ is $HO-CH_2-COOH$ .

Answer: $O = C - OH, \, CH_2 - OH$ (with C-C bond)

JEE Main 2026 — Chemistry Organic Chemistry

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Solution

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JEE Main 2026 — Chemistry Organic Chemistry

Options

Did you get this right?

Solution

Your note

JEE Main Organic Chemistry in other years

More JEE Main Organic Chemistry questions

Other Chemistry topics for JEE Main

Physical Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Keep practicing Organic Chemistry