BRAINCAKEReduction of Aldehydes and Ketones
Reduction of aldehydes and ketones to primary and secondary alcohols occurs by nucleophilic addition.
The carbonyl group is susceptible to attack by nucleophiles.
Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced to primary and secondary alcohols respectively.
Sodium tetrahydridoborate NaBH4 can be used as the reducing agent or LiAlH4 - lithium aluminium hydride - in dry ether.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
Key terms in this lesson
- reduction
- A reaction that is the addition of hydrogen to, or the removal of oxygen from, an organic molecule.
- nucleophile
- An atom or group of atoms that can donate a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.
More in Carbonyl Compounds
- Carbonyl Compounds
- Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones
- Reaction with Hydrogen Cyanide
- Silver Mirror Test
- 2,4-DNP Test for Carbonyl Compounds
- Carboxylic Acids
- Esters
- Fats and Oils
All 12 lessons in Carbonyl Compounds · All OCR A-level Organic Chemistry topics