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What would the balance equation be, for a reaction between sodium borohydride and benzil with ethanol as the solvent
Accepted Answer
The reaction between sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and benzil in ethanol produces a mixture of diastereomeric hydrobenzoins. The balanced equation is:
NaBH4 + 2 C14H10O2 → 2 C14H12O2 + NaBO2 + 2 H2
This reaction is a classic example of a hydride reduction, where the borohydride anion (BH4-) acts as a reducing agent, donating a hydride ion (H-) to the carbonyl group of benzil. The resulting hydrobenzoins are chiral molecules, and the reaction produces a mixture of diastereomers. The reaction is typically carried out in ethanol because it is a polar solvent that helps to dissolve the reactants and promote the reaction.
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