Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding preparation of alcohols?
I. By acid catalysed hydration
II. By reduction of carboxylic acids

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Both I and II.
Both methods listed can be used to prepare alcohols:
1. By Acid-Catalyzed Hydration: Alcohols can be prepared by the acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes. In this process, an alkene reacts with water (H₂O) in the presence of an acid catalyst (such as H₂SO₄), resulting in the addition of a hydroxyl group (-OH) to the alkene to form an alcohol. This is a common industrial method to produce alcohols.
2. By Reduction of Carboxylic Acids: Alcohols can also be prepared by reducing carboxylic acids. This reduction process generally requires strong reducing agents, such as lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄), to convert carboxylic acids directly into primary alcohols. This method is commonly used in laboratory synthesis to produce alcohols from carboxylic acids.
Information Booster: ● Acid-catalyzed hydration is particularly useful for producing alcohols from alkenes in a regioselective manner. ● Reduction of carboxylic acids to alcohols is typically done using powerful reducing agents like LiAlH₄, as milder agents cannot reduce carboxylic acids effectively. ● Other methods for preparing alcohols include the reduction of aldehydes and ketones, hydrolysis of alkyl halides, and fermentation of sugars. ● Alcohols are a versatile class of compounds with applications in solvents, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry.