Comparison of Reducing Agents: NaBH4 vs. LiAlH4

Hard Organic Chemistry Carbonyl Chemistry

Consider the following transformation in organic chemistry: the conversion of a ketone to a corresponding alcohol using a reducing agent. During this process, the carbonyl carbon of the ketone is attacked by a hydride nucleophile, typically provided by a reagent such as NaBH₄ or LiAlH₄. Both reagents donate hydride ions but vary significantly in their reactivity and application in synthetic organic chemistry.

Given this information, identify which of the following statements about the use of these reducing agents is correct.

NaBH4 is more reactive than LiAlH4 and can reduce esters directly.

LiAlH4 is capable of reducing both carbonyl groups and nitriles, while NaBH4 cannot.

NaBH4 is a stronger reducing agent than LiAlH4 and can reduce aldehydes to primary alcohols.

Both NaBH4 and LiAlH4 can reduce ketones, but only LiAlH4 can reduce carboxylic acids.

Hint

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