Mechanism: Reduction Esters by LiAlH4
Reduction occurs in three steps plus workup: • Steps 1 and 2 reduce the ester to an aldehyde. O R C OR' +
H
(1)
O R C OR'
(2)
O R C
H
A tetrahedral carbonyl addition intermediate
+
OR'
H
• Step 3: Workup gives a 1° alcohol derived from the carbonyl group. O R C H
+ H
(3)
O R C H H
OH (4) R C H H A 1° alcohol
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