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Formaldehyde reacts with NaBH4 in ethanol to form:

a. Methanol
b. Ethanol
c. Propanol
d. Butanol

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Upon reaction with NaBH4, formaldehyde is reduced to form methanol, which is the simplest alcohol.

Step-by-step explanation:

Formaldehyde reacts with NaBH4 (sodium borohydride) in ethanol to form the alcohol product. The reaction of formaldehyde implies the reduction of an aldehyde to an alcohol. Since formaldehyde (H2C=O) is the simplest aldehyde, upon reduction it gives the simplest alcohol. Given the options, the correct answer is methanol (CH3OH), also known as methyl alcohol.

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