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State why we employ NaBH4 for the reduction in this reaction as opposed to using LiAlH4 with source
Accepted Answer
NaBH4 is preferred over LiAlH4 in this reaction because it is a milder reducing agent and can selectively reduce aldehydes and ketones to alcohols without reducing other functional groups like esters or carboxylic acids. LiAlH4, on the other hand, is a much stronger reducing agent and would likely reduce all of these functional groups.
Source:
Organic Chemistry, 10th Edition
by Paula Yurkanis Bruice
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