Question

What two reagents can be used to reduce aldehydes and ketones to alcohol?

Answer 1

The two reagents commonly used to reduce aldehydes and ketones to alcohols are catalytic hydrogenation and sodium borohydride.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two reagents commonly used to reduce aldehydes and ketones to alcohols are:

1. Catalytic hydrogenation: Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced to alcohols using hydrogen gas (H₂) in the presence of a catalyst such as finely divided nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd/C), or platinum (Pt/C).
2. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4): This is a mild reducing agent that selectively reduces aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols.

For example, the reduction of an aldehyde like formaldehyde (CH₂O) using catalytic hydrogenation yields methanol (CH₃OH), while sodium borohydride can reduce a ketone like acetone (CH₃COCH₃) to isopropanol (CH₃CHOHCH₃).