
Which one of the following reducing agents is likely to be most effective in bringing about the following change?

(a) \[{H_2} - Ni\]
(b) \[NaB{H_4}\]
(c) \[LiAl{H_4}\]
(d) \[Na - Alcohol\]
Answer
164.4k+ views
Hint: The reducing agents are the compounds or elements which have the tendency to lose their electrons or hydrogen in a chemical reaction and get oxidised.
Properties of a reducing agent:
(a) They have the tendency to lose their electrons.
(b) They have the tendency to get self-oxidised by reducing other species.
(c) They have the tendency to increase their oxidation state.
Complete Step by Step Solution:
The \[{H_2} - Ni\]or Raney nickel is a strong reducing agent. It can reduce:
- Aldehydes (\[ - CHO\]), and carboxylic acids (\[ - COOH\]) to primary alcohols.
- Ketones (\[ - CO - \]) to secondary alcohols.
The \[NaB{H_4}\] or sodium borohydride is a weaker reducing agent than \[LiAl{H_4}\] . It can reduce:
- Aldehydes, ketones, and acid chlorides (\[RCOCl\]) to alcohols.
The \[LiAl{H_4}\] i.e Lithium Aluminium Hydride or LAH is a very strong and unselective reducing agent. It can reduce:
- Aldehydes, ketones, esters, carboxylic acid chlorides and carboxylic acid to alcohols.
- It can reduce the amides (\[RCON{H_2}\]), and nitriles (\[RCN\])to amines (\[RC{H_2}N{H_2}\]).
Na-Alcohol is also a strong reducing agent. It can reduce:
- The alkyne to trans-alkene.
The above points indicate that \[LiAl{H_4}\]is the best reducing agent for the conversion of amides (\[RCON{H_2}\]) to amines (\[RC{H_2}N{H_2}\]). Therefore, option (c) will be the correct answer (Image 1).

Image: Reduction of amide to amine by \[LiAl{H_4}\] reagent.
Note: The \[NaB{H_4}\] and \[LiAl{H_4}\] both are hydride donors (\[{H^ - }\]). The \[NaB{H_4}\] cannot reduce ester, amide, carboxylic acid, and nitriles. The \[NaB{H_4}\] and \[LiAl{H_4}\] must be handled in inert condition. A little bit of moisture can reduce the reaction yield of the reaction and also the reaction with water is violent in nature.
Properties of a reducing agent:
(a) They have the tendency to lose their electrons.
(b) They have the tendency to get self-oxidised by reducing other species.
(c) They have the tendency to increase their oxidation state.
Complete Step by Step Solution:
The \[{H_2} - Ni\]or Raney nickel is a strong reducing agent. It can reduce:
- Aldehydes (\[ - CHO\]), and carboxylic acids (\[ - COOH\]) to primary alcohols.
- Ketones (\[ - CO - \]) to secondary alcohols.
The \[NaB{H_4}\] or sodium borohydride is a weaker reducing agent than \[LiAl{H_4}\] . It can reduce:
- Aldehydes, ketones, and acid chlorides (\[RCOCl\]) to alcohols.
The \[LiAl{H_4}\] i.e Lithium Aluminium Hydride or LAH is a very strong and unselective reducing agent. It can reduce:
- Aldehydes, ketones, esters, carboxylic acid chlorides and carboxylic acid to alcohols.
- It can reduce the amides (\[RCON{H_2}\]), and nitriles (\[RCN\])to amines (\[RC{H_2}N{H_2}\]).
Na-Alcohol is also a strong reducing agent. It can reduce:
- The alkyne to trans-alkene.
The above points indicate that \[LiAl{H_4}\]is the best reducing agent for the conversion of amides (\[RCON{H_2}\]) to amines (\[RC{H_2}N{H_2}\]). Therefore, option (c) will be the correct answer (Image 1).

Image: Reduction of amide to amine by \[LiAl{H_4}\] reagent.
Note: The \[NaB{H_4}\] and \[LiAl{H_4}\] both are hydride donors (\[{H^ - }\]). The \[NaB{H_4}\] cannot reduce ester, amide, carboxylic acid, and nitriles. The \[NaB{H_4}\] and \[LiAl{H_4}\] must be handled in inert condition. A little bit of moisture can reduce the reaction yield of the reaction and also the reaction with water is violent in nature.
Recently Updated Pages
Environmental Chemistry Chapter for JEE Main Chemistry

JEE Main 2021 July 25 Shift 1 Question Paper with Answer Key

JEE Main 2021 July 22 Shift 2 Question Paper with Answer Key

JEE Main 2025 Session 2: Exam Date, Admit Card, Syllabus, & More

JEE Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding important Concepts and Tips

JEE Amino Acids and Peptides Important Concepts and Tips for Exam Preparation

Trending doubts
Atomic Structure - Electrons, Protons, Neutrons and Atomic Models

Learn About Angle Of Deviation In Prism: JEE Main Physics 2025

Instantaneous Velocity - Formula based Examples for JEE

Classification of Drugs

JEE Main 2025: Conversion of Galvanometer Into Ammeter And Voltmeter in Physics

JEE Main Chemistry Question Paper with Answer Keys and Solutions

Other Pages
Coordination Compounds Class 12 Notes: CBSE Chemistry Chapter 5

JEE Advanced 2025 Notes

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry In Hindi Chapter 10 Haloalkanes and Haloarenes In Hindi Mediem

JEE Main Chemistry Online Mock Test for Class 12

Total MBBS Seats in India 2025: Government College Seat Matrix

NEET Total Marks 2025: Important Information and Key Updates
