Question

question
give the chemical formula of the alcohol that results from the reduction of n - pentanoic acid.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall reduction of carboxylic acid

Carboxylic acids on reduction give alcohols. The general reaction is \( R - COOH \xrightarrow{reduction} R - CH_2OH \).

Step2: Apply to n - pentanoic acid

n - pentanoic acid has the formula \( CH_3(CH_2)_3COOH \). On reduction, the \( -COOH \) group is reduced to \( -CH_2OH \). So the formula becomes \( CH_3(CH_2)_3CH_2OH \).

Answer:

\( CH_3(CH_2)_3CH_2OH \)