Which reagent is used to convert an aldehyde to a primary alcohol?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which reagent is used to convert an aldehyde to a primary alcohol?
LiAlH4
NaBH4
H2/Pd
All of the above
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which reagent is used to convert an aldehyde to a primary alcohol?
Step 1: Understand what an aldehyde is. An aldehyde is a type of organic compound that contains a carbonyl group (C=O) at the end of a carbon chain.
Step 2: Know what a primary alcohol is. A primary alcohol is an alcohol where the hydroxyl group (–OH) is attached to a carbon that is only connected to one other carbon.
Step 3: Learn about reduction. Reduction is a chemical reaction that involves the gain of electrons or the decrease in oxidation state, often converting a carbonyl group (like in aldehydes) to an alcohol.
Step 4: Identify common reagents that can reduce aldehydes to primary alcohols. Some common reagents include lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4), sodium borohydride (NaBH4), and hydrogen gas (H2) with a catalyst.
Step 5: Realize that all these reagents can effectively convert an aldehyde into a primary alcohol through the reduction process.
