BRAINCAKEReduction with LiAlH4
Aldehydes and ketones are reduced to alcohols by lithium tetrahydridoaluminate(III), LiAlH4 (lithium aluminium hydride). It is a powerful reducing agent and a source of hydride ions, H−.
Conditions: LiAlH4 in dry ether (ethoxyethane) at room temperature, followed by the careful addition of dilute acid to release the alcohol. The ether must be dry because LiAlH4 reacts violently with water, producing hydrogen.
In equations the reducing agent is written as [H].
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All 11 lessons in Carbonyl Compounds · All Edexcel A-level Chemistry topics