JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3ro191
2-Hydroxypropanoic acid (lactic acid) is oxidised with HIOX4. The products are
Aethanal and COX2
Bethanol and COX2
Cpyruvic acid only
Dmethanal and ethanoic acid
Answer: A
An alpha-hydroxy acid has OH and COOH on adjacent carbons and is cleaved at that C-C bond. The carbinol carbon with CH3 becomes CH3CHO and the carboxyl carbon is lost as carbon dioxide.