Question:

How do you convert the following? Ethanal to Ethane

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Clemmensen ($Zn-Hg / HCl$) strips the $=O$ off the carbonyl carbon and adds $H_2$.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Concept
Complete reduction of an aldehyde group down to an alkane.

Step 2: Meaning
The carbonyl oxygen is completely removed and replaced by two hydrogen atoms.

Step 3: Analysis
This requires specific strong reductive methods, such as the Clemmensen reduction using Zinc amalgam and concentrated $HCl$, or the Wolff-Kishner reduction using hydrazine and KOH.

Final Answer: By Clemmensen reduction (using zinc amalgam and concentrated $HCl$). $CH_3-CHO + 4[H] \xrightarrow{Zn-Hg / \text{conc. } HCl} CH_3-CH_3 + H_2O$
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