Knowra Lithium aluminium hydride Lithium aluminium hydride Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄) is a reactive inorganic hydride used to reduce many organic functional groups. It transfers hydride to substrates and reacts vigorously with water and other proton sources.
Hydride transfer : The transfer of a hydrogen atom bearing two electrons as hydride, H⁻, from one species to another. LiAlH₄ reduces substrates by delivering hydride to electrophilic atoms, especially carbonyl carbon.
Ester reduction : The conversion of an ester into reduced products, commonly alcohols, by a reducing agent. LiAlH₄ reduces esters to primary alcohols after workup.
Sodium borohydride : A comparatively mild hydride reagent, NaBH₄, commonly used to reduce aldehydes and ketones. It is less reactive and more selective than LiAlH₄ toward many functional groups.
Aluminium hydride : A class of compounds containing aluminum–hydrogen bonds, including alane and complex metal hydrides. LiAlH₄ belongs to this broader family of aluminum hydride compounds.
Acetone : A simple ketone with formula (CH₃)₂CO, widely used as an industrial solvent and chemical feedstock. LiAlH₄ reduces acetone’s carbonyl group to 2-propanol.
Carbonyl reduction : The conversion of a carbonyl group into a more reduced functional group, commonly an alcohol or methylene group. This is the central reaction family in which LiAlH₄ is used.
Amide reduction : The conversion of an amide carbonyl group into a more reduced product, often an amine. LiAlH₄ commonly reduces amides to amines, unlike milder hydride reagents.
Lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminum hydride : A sterically hindered aluminum hydride reagent used for selective reductions, including conversion of acid chlorides to aldehydes. Its bulky alkoxy groups make it milder and more selective than LiAlH₄.
Ionic compounds : Compounds whose structures contain oppositely charged ions held together by electrostatic attraction. LiAlH₄ is commonly represented as lithium cations and tetrahedral AlH₄⁻ anions.
Ethyl acetate : An ester with formula CH₃COOCH₂CH₃, used as a solvent and chemical intermediate. Its reduction by LiAlH₄ produces ethanol and a primary alcohol after workup.
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