Nucleophilic Addition of H– and R–—A Review
Mechanism
This mechanism is for a LiAlH4 reduction. The mechanism for a NaBH4 reduction is the same except ethanol is the proton source used in the second step.
1) Nucleophilic attack by the hydride anion
2) The alkoxide is protonated
Contributors
- Prof. Steven Farmer (Sonoma State University)