Chapter 19: Carboxylic Acids
Reduction of Carboxylic Acids
Reaction usually in Et
2
O or THF followed by H
3
O
+
work-ups
Reaction type: Nucleophilic Acyl Substiution
then
NucleophilicAddition
Summary
Carboxylic acids are less reactive to reduction by hydride than aldehydes,ketones or esters.
Carboxylic acids are reduced to
primary alcohols
.
As a result of their low reactivity, carboxylic acids can only be reducedby LiAlH
4
and
NOT
by the less reactive NaBH
4
Related Reactions
Reaction of RLi and RMgX with esters
Reaction of RLi and RMgX with carbon dioxide
Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones
Reduction of Esters
©
Dr. Ian Hunt
, Department of Chemistry
