Interaction | Reaction | Process     Data Page

Lithium tetrahydridoaluminate(III) reduces ketones to secondary alcohols. This reaction MUST be carried under anhydrous conditions.

The intermediate alkoxide ion, , R2CHOÐ, is protonated to the secondary alcohol when the reaction is quenched (worked-up).

Overall, the reaction involves the addition of HÐ and H+ across the C=O double bond.
  +  
LiAlH4
  +  
2
[H]
         
Reactant Page Go To Go To
Ketone (AS/A2 generic)     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Lithium aluminium hydride     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Hydrogen delivered equivalents     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Secondary alcohol (AS/A2 generic)     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming

Interaction, Reaction, Process defined as:
Addition
Addition: Nucleophilic
British A-Level Chemistry: A2
Redox
Reduction: Of Substrate By Reagent

© Mark R. Leach 1999 –

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