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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3ro032

Hex-3-yne is treated with (i) Na in liquid ; (ii) mCPBA; (iii) aqueous (anti opening of the epoxide). The product is

  1. Ameso-hexane-3,4-diol
  2. Bracemic (3R,4R)- and (3S,4S)-hexane-3,4-diol
  3. Chexane-3,4-dione
  4. Dhexan-3-ol

Answer: A

(i) gives (E)-hex-3-ene; (ii) syn epoxidation gives the trans epoxide; (iii) anti ring opening is overall anti addition of two OH to an E alkene, which gives the meso diol (as anti addition of to a trans alkene gives a meso dibromide).
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