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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3co255

The acid shown is heated with and red phosphorus. Which statement is correct?

  1. ABromination occurs at the alpha carbon to give an alpha-bromo acid
  2. BBromination occurs at one methyl group (beta position)
  3. CNo Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky bromination occurs because the alpha carbon has no hydrogen
  4. DThe acid is decarboxylated to a bromoalkane

Answer: C

The drawn compound is 2,2-dimethylpropanoic (pivalic) acid. HVZ needs an alpha-hydrogen to form the enol of the acyl bromide. Its alpha carbon is quaternary, so no alpha-bromination takes place, and no other site is brominated by this reagent.
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