Question:

Experimentally reducing a functional group cannot be done by which one of the following reagents?

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Pt/C and Pd/C with \(\mathrm{H_2}\) are standard hydrogenation catalysts and Zn/\(\mathrm{H_2O}\) is a known reductive system; Na is never used with \(\mathrm{H_2}\) gas (it needs liquid \(\mathrm{NH_3}\) or alcohol).
Updated On: Nov 4, 2026
  • Pt-C/\(\mathrm{H_2}\)
  • Na/\(\mathrm{H_2}\)
  • Pd-C/\(\mathrm{H_2}\)
  • Zn/\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

(1) Pt-C/\(\mathrm{H_2}\): catalytic hydrogenation reduces C=C, C=O, \(\mathrm{NO_2}\) and so on, so it works.
(3) Pd-C/\(\mathrm{H_2}\): the usual hydrogenation catalyst (alkenes, alkynes, nitro groups, Rosenmund reduction), so it works.
(4) Zn/\(\mathrm{H_2O}\): zinc is an active metal reductant (e.g. reductive work-up of ozonides, reduction of nitro compounds and halides), so it works.
(2) Na/\(\mathrm{H_2}\): sodium is used for dissolving-metal reductions only with liquid \(\mathrm{NH_3}\) or an alcohol (Birch, Bouveault-Blanc); sodium with \(\mathrm{H_2}\) gas is not an experimental reducing system (sodium would form NaH), so it cannot be used.
Answer: (2) Na/\(\mathrm{H_2}\)
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