REDUCTION BY HYDRIDE REAGENTS
Aldehydes and ketones can also undergo reduction to form alcohols. This is often performed with
hydride reagents. The most common of these seen on the MCAT are lithium aluminum hydride
(LiAlH 4 ) and sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ), which is often used when milder conditions are needed.
This reaction is shown in Figure 6.12.
Figure 6.12. Ketone Reduction
Ketones are easily reduced to their respective alcohols using hydride reagents.MCAT Concept Check 6.3:
Before you move on, assess your understanding of the material with these questions.What functional group is formed when an aldehyde is oxidized? What are some common
oxidizing agents that assist this reaction?Functional group: Oxidizing agents: What functional group is formed when aldehydes and ketones are reduced? What are some
common reducing agents that assist this reaction?Functional group: