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A2 Chemistry... HELP

:confused:
So before I go back to college, I am required to complete a set of notes; one of the questions wants me to:

'Give mechanisms for the reduction of propanal with NaBH4'

I have no idea... someone help me!
Reply 1
Avatar for BeckyPanda
BeckyPanda
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/mechanisms/nucadd/reduce.html This website goes through all you need to know to be able to construct any mechanism you require
Reply 2
Avatar for Blashnet
Blashnet
OP
8
Original post by BeckyPanda
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/mechanisms/nucadd/reduce.html This website goes through all you need to know to be able to construct any mechanism you require


I have read this, I still cannot construct the mechanism :'(
Reply 3
Avatar for BeckyPanda
BeckyPanda
Its really hard to explain. It is down to dipoles and the C=O breaks to form just C-O. The arrows are electron transfer and the electrons go from the H of NaBH4 to the carbon (backside attack) and the carbon 'gives' the oxygen electrons and thus this forms an alcohol group. If you want any more help I don't mind you private messaging me and I can go through in more detail :smile:
Reply 4
Avatar for BJack
BJack
19
Original post by Blashnet
I have read this, I still cannot construct the mechanism :'(


It's right there under "The mechanism for the reduction of ethanal"....

If you want more detail, you can show the hydride as H3B-—H, with a B—H bond breaking to deliver negatively-charged hydride to the carbonyl carbon.

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