Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Addition of Hydride ion

Zenarthra

Is this correct in showing where the hydride ion comes from in sodium tetrahydridoborate?

Reply 1

EierVonSatan

You need a negative charge to balance the positive charge :yep:

But importantly - you do not lose a ''naked'' H^- from NaBH₄. Typically mechanisms are drawn with the borohydride transferring the hydride to the site of reduction like this.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 2

Zenarthra

Original post by EierVonSatan

You need a negative charge to balance the positive charge :yep:

But importantly - you do not lose a ''naked'' H^- from NaBH₄. Typically mechanisms are drawn with the borohydride transferring the hydride to the site of reduction like this.

Oh because in the books it just has the hydride ions on its own with a lone pair attacking the carbonyl carbon.
I think i might lose marks if i draw an arrow from the H-B bond to the carbonyl carbon.

Reply 3

EierVonSatan

Original post by Zenarthra

Oh because in the books it just has the hydride ions on its own with a lone pair attacking the carbonyl carbon.
I think i might lose marks if i draw an arrow from the H-B bond to the carbonyl carbon.