Reduction of an ester with LiAlH4 yields what type of product?

Master NCEA Level 3 Organic Chemistry Reaction Schemes. Prepare with multiple choice questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam with our comprehensive tools!

Multiple Choice

Reduction of an ester with LiAlH4 yields what type of product?

LiAlH4 reduces esters all the way to primary alcohols. The carbonyl carbon is attacked by hydride, the OR' group leaves as an alkoxide, and a second hydride reduces the resulting intermediate to a primary alcohol. In the end, the ester is converted into two primary alcohols: one from the acyl portion (RCH2OH) and one from the alkoxy portion (R'OH). So the product type is a primary alcohol, which matches the idea of the alcohol derived from the ester’s alkoxy group. Other options—aldehyde, ether, or a secondary alcohol—don’t arise under standard LAH reduction of esters.

LiAlH4 reduces esters all the way to primary alcohols. The carbonyl carbon is attacked by hydride, the OR' group leaves as an alkoxide, and a second hydride reduces the resulting intermediate to a primary alcohol. In the end, the ester is converted into two primary alcohols: one from the acyl portion (RCH2OH) and one from the alkoxy portion (R'OH). So the product type is a primary alcohol, which matches the idea of the alcohol derived from the ester’s alkoxy group. Other options—aldehyde, ether, or a secondary alcohol—don’t arise under standard LAH reduction of esters.

More practice questions