using LiAlH 4 . This same reducing agent will reduce carboxylic acids to primary alcohols and esters to
a pair of alcohols. Examples of reduction reactions are shown in Figure 4.8. Again, the focus is not on
memorization, but on recognizing that reduction reactions tend to feature an increase in the
number of bonds to hydrogen, and reducing agents often contain metals bonded to a large number
of hydrides.
Figure 4.8. Reduction Reactions and Common Reducing Agents