Question

. What is the product (X) in the given reaction?

What is the product (X) in the given reaction?
A.
B.
C.
D.

Answer 1

Lactic acid or 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, is an organic acid with molecular formula $C{H_3}CH(OH)COOH$. It is majorly produced by the process of fermentation. It is an optically active compound. The food items like yogurt and cottage cheese contain lactic acid.

Complete step by step answer:
Lactic acid, a by-product produced during the chemical reaction of anaerobic respiration.

The chemical structure of allyl alcohol is shown below. The chemical name of allyl alcohol is prop-2-en-1-ol and it is also found in garlic. It is an allylic alcohol, an alcohol in which hydroxy group is placed at the carbon atom adjacent to the double bond.

On reacting lactic acid with allyl alcohol in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid, lactic acid undergoes esterification, producing alkyl lactate.

Allyl lactate can be also formed when polymer of lactic acid reacts with allyl alcohol in presence of concentrated sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid acts as a catalyst for this reaction.


Allyl lactate, an ester produced through the reaction between lactic acid and allyl alcohol, is an intermediate in the production of plastics.

So, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: Alkyl lactate, is an allyl ester. They can also be prepared by treating allyl alcohol with acid anhydrides and acid chlorides. Instead of using mineral acid as catalyst, aromatic sulphonic acids can be used for the same. Allyl esters can undergo polymerisation in presence of oxygen or peroxides.

Student may get confused between option (B) and (C) while answering this question. In option (B), the structure of the compound given resembles that of structure given in option (C). Keep in mind that the double bond between two carbon atoms will not be retained by the ester formed when lactic acid reacts with allyl alcohol. In option (B) double bond between two carbon atoms is retained in the structure of the compound.