Question:


Considering the above chemical reaction, identify the product "X" :

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Hot alkaline KMnO4 oxidises an alkyl side chain on a benzene ring to COOH, while the aromatic ether (OCH3) group is unaffected.
Updated On: Nov 4, 2026
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The substrate is 4-methylanisole (p-methylanisole, \(\mathrm{CH_3{-}C_6H_4{-}OCH_3}\)).
Alkaline \(\mathrm{KMnO_4}\) followed by \(\mathrm{H^+}\) oxidises the benzylic \(\mathrm{CH_3}\) group (which has benzylic hydrogens) completely to \(\mathrm{COOH}\); the aryl methyl ether \(\mathrm{OCH_3}\) is not oxidised.
Product: 4-methoxybenzoic acid (p-anisic acid), the structure with \(\mathrm{COOH}\) para to \(\mathrm{OCH_3}\), option (3). Aldehyde (option 1) and alcohol (option 2) are only intermediate oxidation levels and are not obtained with a strong oxidant; option (4) would need oxidation of OCH3, not CH3.
Answer: (3) 4-methoxybenzoic acid (COOH para to OCH3)
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