Question

Sodium borohydride and lithium aluminum hydride are two of the most commonly used reducing agents. Match the comments below to the reducing agent by dragging the statements into the appropriate box. If both reducing agents match the statement then drag the statement into the box lableled "True for both hydrides. True for onl True for only lithium aluminum hydride sodium borohydride True for both hydrides Reduces aldehydes to s the least reactive s the safest to use primary alcohols of the two hydrides. Reduces carboxylic acids Reduces esters. Can be used in reactions to primary alcohols with methanol solvent Reduces ketones to secondary alcohols

Answer 1

--> TRUE FOR ONLY LITHIUM ALUMINUM HYDRIDE

• Reduces esters

• Reduces carboxylic acids

--> TRUE FOR SODIUM BOROHYDRIDE

• It is the least reactive

• It is the safest to use

• Can be used in reactions with methanol solvent

--> TRUE FOR BOTH HYDRIDES

• Reduces aldehydes to primary alcohols

• Reduces ketones to secondary alcohols

Explanation:The alkali and alkali- earth metals like Sodium and lithium form ionic hydrides with hydrogen. These hydrides are crystalline solids with high melting points that can conduct electricity when molten. They readily react with water to form hydroxides and liberate hydrogen gas.

Boron and aluminium form complex covalent hydrides which are important reducing agents especially in organic chemistry. The two common complex hydrides are LITHIUM ALUMINUM HYDRIDE and SODIUM BOROHYDRIDE.

In organic chemistry, both hydrides are strong reducing agents which are used in reducing aldehydes to primary alcohols and ketones to secondary alcohols.