Chemistry - Carboxylic acid and their Derivatives Question with Solution | TestHub

$\mathrm{NaOEt}$ forms the malonate enolate. Alkylation with $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3\mathrm{I}$ introduces a methyl group; a second $\mathrm{NaOEt}$/$\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{I}$ cycle introduces an ethyl group at the same carbon. Acid hydrolysis gives HOOC–C(CH₃)(CH₂CH₃)–COOH. Heating removes $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ to give HOOC–CH(CH₃)–CH₂CH₃ (2-methylbutanoic acid). The new stereocentre is formed without a chiral reagent, so both R and S acids occur as a racemic pair. Total possible carboxylic acids in the final mixture: 2.