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JEE Advanced levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 3 of 3hc244

The sodium salt shown is subjected to (i) heating with soda lime and (ii) Kolbe electrolysis in aqueous solution. Which statements are correct?

  1. AHeating with soda lime gives toluene.
  2. BKolbe electrolysis gives 1,2-diphenylethane.
  3. CKolbe electrolysis gives biphenyl.
  4. DHeating with soda lime gives benzene.

Answer: A, B

The compound shown is sodium phenylacetate. Soda lime replaces by H, giving toluene. Kolbe electrolysis forms the benzyl radical which dimerises to bibenzyl (1,2-diphenylethane). Biphenyl and benzene would require loss of the benzylic carbon, which does not happen.
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