BRAINCAKEReduction with NaBH4
Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced to alcohols using sodium tetrahydridoborate(III), NaBH4, in aqueous solution. NaBH4 acts as a source of the hydride ion, H−.
In equations the reducing agent is written as [H]. Two [H] are added across the C=O bond:
• Aldehydes are reduced to primary alcohols:
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All 9 lessons in Aldehydes and Ketones · All AQA A-level Chemistry topics