Reduction of a ketone with sodium borohydride or lithium aluminium hydride gives

Correct answer: C. a secondary alcohol

  • A. a primary alcohol
  • B. a carboxylic acid
  • C. a secondary alcohol
  • D. an alkane

Explanation

The hydride ion adds to the carbonyl carbon, which then carries two alkyl groups and a hydroxyl, so the product is a secondary alcohol. An aldehyde reduced in the same way gives a primary alcohol. Reduction is simply the reverse of the oxidation that produced the carbonyl compound in the first place.

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About Nucleophilic Addition Reactions

Nucleophilic addition occurs at the polar carbonyl group of aldehydes and ketones, where a nucleophile attacks the electron-deficient carbon atom. Reactions with hydrogen cyanide, sodium bisulfite, alcohols and Grignard reagents are explained through tetrahedral intermediates, acid or base catalysis, and the different reactivity of aldehydes and ketones.

Practise Aldehydes and Ketones

679 free Aldehydes and Ketones MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

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