Reduction of benzoic acid with LiAlH4 yields which product?

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Multiple Choice

Reduction of benzoic acid with LiAlH4 yields which product?

LiAlH4 is a very strong reducing agent that donates hydride to carbonyl groups. When a carboxylic acid like benzoic acid is treated with LiAlH4, the carboxyl group is reduced all the way to a primary alcohol. The carboxyl carbon becomes a CH2OH group, giving benzyl alcohol (Ph-CH2OH) as the product. Benzaldehyde would require stopping the reduction at the aldehyde stage, which typically needs a milder reagent or controlled conditions. Benzene would require removal of the carboxyl group, which isn’t what LiAlH4 does under these conditions.

LiAlH4 is a very strong reducing agent that donates hydride to carbonyl groups. When a carboxylic acid like benzoic acid is treated with LiAlH4, the carboxyl group is reduced all the way to a primary alcohol. The carboxyl carbon becomes a CH2OH group, giving benzyl alcohol (Ph-CH2OH) as the product.

Benzaldehyde would require stopping the reduction at the aldehyde stage, which typically needs a milder reagent or controlled conditions. Benzene would require removal of the carboxyl group, which isn’t what LiAlH4 does under these conditions.

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