Question

The antifertility drug Novestrol can react with

• A. ${\mathrm{Br}}_2$/ water, ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$, ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$
• B. ${\mathrm{Br}}_2$/ water, ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$, $\mathrm{NaOCl}$
• C. Alcoholic $\mathrm{HCN}$, $\mathrm{NaOCl}$, ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$
• D. ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$, ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$, Alcoholic $\mathrm{HCN}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

${\mathrm{Br}}_2$/ water, ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$, ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$

The explanation for the correct option:

Option(A): ${\mathrm{Br}}_2$/ water, ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$, ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$

1. The medicine Novestrol, often referred to as Ethinylestradiol, is an estrogen that is frequently combined with progesterone in birth control pills.
2. Its chemical formula is ${\mathrm{C}}_{20}{\mathrm{H}}_{24}{\mathrm{O}}_2$and its structure is
3. Due to the presence of $\mathrm{C}\equiv {\mathrm{C}}^{-}$ it reacts with ${\mathrm{Br}}_2+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$ to produce ketones.
4. It also gives Lucas's test i.e. reacts with ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2+\mathrm{HCl}$ due to the presence of tertiary alcohol group.
5. Due to the presence of a phenolic group, it gives a positive neutral test with ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$.
6. Hence, it is the correct option.

The explanation for the incorrect options:

Option (B): ${\mathrm{Br}}_2$/ water, ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$, $\mathrm{NaOCl}$

1. Amines react with $\mathrm{NaOCl}$ for chlorination process in the compound.
2. Due to the absence of the chlorine group in Novestrol it does not react with it.
3. Hence, it is an incorrect option

Option (C): Alcoholic $\mathrm{HCN}$, $\mathrm{NaOCl}$, ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$

1. Amines react with $\mathrm{NaOCl}$ for chlorination process in the compound.
2. Due to the absence of the chlorine group in Novestrol it does not react with it.
3. Hence, it is an incorrect option

Option (D): ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$, ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$ , Alcoholic $\mathrm{HCN}$

1. Carbonyl compounds are reacted with $\mathrm{HCN}$ to make hydroxy nitriles.
2. Due to the absence of the carbonyl group, Novestrol does not react with Alcoholic $\mathrm{HCN}$.
3. Hence, it is an incorrect option.

Therefore, the antifertility drug Novestrol can react with ${\mathrm{Br}}_2$/ water, ${\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2$/$\mathrm{HCl}$, ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$