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Primary alcohols are prepared by reduction of carboxylic acids. Though lithium aluminium hydride is a strong reducing agent, it is not used in the reaction. Because 
  • a)
    it is an expensive reagent
  • b)
    only used for secondary and tertiary alcohols
  • c)
    yield is low
  • d)
    None of these
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Primary alcohols are prepared by reduction of carboxylic acids. Though...
LiAlH4 is quite expensive.
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Primary alcohols are prepared by reduction of carboxylic acids. Though...
Primary alcohols are prepared by the reduction of carboxylic acids. However, lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4), which is a strong reducing agent, is not used in this reaction. The correct answer is option 'A', which states that LiAlH4 is not used because it is an expensive reagent.

Explanation:
1. Reducing Agents:
- Reduction reactions involve the addition of hydrogen or the removal of oxygen from a compound. In the case of carboxylic acids, the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group needs to be reduced to convert it into an alcohol.
- Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4) is a commonly used reducing agent that can reduce carboxylic acids to primary alcohols. It is a strong reducing agent that donates hydride ions (H-) in the reaction.

2. Limitations of Lithium Aluminium Hydride:
- Expensive: Lithium aluminium hydride is a relatively expensive reagent compared to other reducing agents. It is not economical to use it for the reduction of carboxylic acids to primary alcohols.
- Reactivity: LiAlH4 is a very strong reducing agent and can also reduce other functional groups present in the molecule, such as ketones, aldehydes, and esters. This high reactivity can lead to unwanted side reactions and lower yields of the desired primary alcohol.
- Safety: Handling and working with LiAlH4 require special precautions due to its reactivity. It is highly flammable and reacts violently with water, acids, and oxidizing agents. Therefore, alternative reducing agents that are safer to handle are preferred.

3. Alternative Reducing Agents:
- There are milder and more economical reducing agents that are commonly used for the reduction of carboxylic acids to primary alcohols. Some examples include:
- Sodium borohydride (NaBH4): It is a mild reducing agent that is safer to handle and more selective towards reducing carboxylic acids.
- Catalytic hydrogenation: This method involves the use of a metal catalyst (such as platinum, palladium, or nickel) and hydrogen gas to selectively reduce carboxylic acids to primary alcohols.

In conclusion, the use of lithium aluminium hydride is avoided in the reduction of carboxylic acids to primary alcohols due to its high cost, reactivity, and safety concerns. Alternative reducing agents, such as sodium borohydride or catalytic hydrogenation, are preferred for these reactions.
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Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:Reductive alkylation is the term applied to the process of introducing alkyl groups into ammonia or a primary or secondary amine by means of an aldehyde or ketone in the presence of a reducing agent. The present discussion is limited to those reductive alkylations in which the reducing agent is hydrogen and a catalyst or "nascent" hydrogen, usually from a metalacid combination; most of these reductive alkylations have been carried out with hydrogen and a catalyst. The principal variation excluded is that in which the reducing agent is formic acid or one of its derivatives; this modification is known as the Leuckart reaction. The process of reductive alkylation of ammonia consists in the addition of ammonia to a carbonyl compound and reduction of the addition compound or its dehydration product. The reaction usually is carried out in ethanol solution when the reduction is to be effected catalytically:Since the primary amine is formed in the presence of the aldehyde it may react in the same way as ammonia, yielding an additional compound, a Schiff's base (RCH= NCH2R) and finally, a secondary amine. Similarly, the primary amine may react with the imine, forming an addition product which also is reduced to a secondary amine Finally, the secondary amine may react with either the aldehyde or the imine to give products which are reduced to tertiary amines.Similar reactions may occur when the carbonyl compound employed is a ketone.Q. The reaction of ammonia and its derivatives with aldehydes is called

Primary alcohols are prepared by reduction of carboxylic acids. Though lithium aluminium hydride is a strong reducing agent, it is not used in the reaction. Becausea)it is an expensive reagentb)only used for secondary and tertiary alcoholsc)yield is lowd)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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Primary alcohols are prepared by reduction of carboxylic acids. Though lithium aluminium hydride is a strong reducing agent, it is not used in the reaction. Becausea)it is an expensive reagentb)only used for secondary and tertiary alcoholsc)yield is lowd)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for Class 12 2024 is part of Class 12 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 12 exam syllabus. Information about Primary alcohols are prepared by reduction of carboxylic acids. Though lithium aluminium hydride is a strong reducing agent, it is not used in the reaction. Becausea)it is an expensive reagentb)only used for secondary and tertiary alcoholsc)yield is lowd)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Class 12 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Primary alcohols are prepared by reduction of carboxylic acids. Though lithium aluminium hydride is a strong reducing agent, it is not used in the reaction. Becausea)it is an expensive reagentb)only used for secondary and tertiary alcoholsc)yield is lowd)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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