Chemistry doubt.

Structural isomerism and stereoisomerism should be considered when answering this question.
Each of the following carbonyl compounds is reacted with NaBH4. The product of each reaction is
heated with Al 2O3 at 600 °C, generating one product or a mixture of isomers.
Which carbonyl compound will produce the most isomers?
A butanal
B butanone
C pentan-3-one
D propanone

Correct Answer : B

Please explain how you do this...

See first, an alcohol will form and upon reaction with Al2O3, alkenes will form. So:-
in A, CH3CH2CH2CH2OH will form and if you dehydrate it, only but-1-ene will form.
in B, CH3CH2CH(OH)CH3 will form and if you dehydrate it, but-1-ene, cis but-2-ene and trans but-2-ene can form.
in C, CH3CH2CH(OH)CH2CH3 will form and if you dehydrate it, cis pent-2-ene and trans pent-2-ene can form.
in D, CH3CH(OH)CH3 will form and if you dehydrate it, prop-1-ene will form.

Hence answer is B as most no. of alkenes formed.
Hope this helps

ohhhh!!! Thanks sooo much!!!

are you also giving the F/M paper on tuesday?

Yeppp... Are you??