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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3o1085

Cyclohexanone is refluxed with ethylene glycol and p-toluenesulphonic acid in toluene using a Dean-Stark trap. The function of the trap is to

  1. Aremove water as it forms, shifting the equilibrium towards the cyclic ketal
  2. Bsupply water for hydrolysis of the ketal
  3. Cremove the acid catalyst from the mixture
  4. Dremove excess ethylene glycol

Answer: A

Ketal formation is a reversible condensation that releases water. Continuous azeotropic removal of the water in the trap drives the equilibrium to the product (Le Chatelier principle).
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