OChem: NaBH4 Reduction

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KyoPhan

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I just noticed that NaBH4 can't reduce a lot of stuff.
So far, I found that they can't reduce acids/esters/NO2/alkenes

Can they only reduce ketones and aldehydes?

Are there any other compounds that are selective in their reduction/oxidation that I should take note of?

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I just noticed that NaBH4 can't reduce a lot of stuff.
So far, I found that they can't reduce acids/esters/NO2/alkenes

Can they only reduce ketones and aldehydes?

Are there any other compounds that are selective in their reduction/oxidation that I should take note of?

hey kyo! its my turn to help u out! :laugh: NaBH4 is weak and can only reduce aldehydes, ketones and acid halides

Meanwhile LiAlH4 can reduces ketones, aldehydes, acid chlorides, esters, carboxylic acids, and amides. (+ a few more things i might have missed)

Hope this helps!
 
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I just passed through that in destroyer's road map!:thumbup:

i feel this is very important to remember i often see problems in destroyer + other test prep where they give you products and use the reagents and u really have to remember this stuff! so try to memorize the reductions via chad's pdfs if you have them.
 
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