The major product formed in the following reaction is:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

choose the correct answer from the options Given below:

Explanation:

The reagents are:

$$Zn(Hg),\ \mathrm{conc.}\ HCl,\ \Delta$$

These are the conditions for Clemmensen reduction.

Clemmensen reduction converts an aldehyde or ketone carbonyl group into a methylene group.

The given compound is:

$$C_6H_5-CH(OH)-CH(CH_3)-CH_2-CHO$$

The aldehyde group:

$$-CHO$$

is reduced to:

$$-CH_3$$

Hence,

$$-CH_2-CHO\longrightarrow-CH_2-CH_3$$

The benzylic $$-OH$$ group is not affected under the expected transformation.

Therefore, the product formed is:

$$C_6H_5-CH(OH)-CH(CH_3)-C_2H_5$$

This corresponds to option B.