Which is the best reagent for the following conversion? CH ₃ -CH=CH-CH ₂ -CHO CH ₃ -CH=CH-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -OH

Step-by-step solution

The given conversion involves the reduction of an aldehyde group to a primary alcohol without affecting the isolated carbon-carbon double bond. H ₂ / Ni and H ₂ / Pd are catalytic hydrogenating agents that will reduce both the aldehyde group and the carbon-carbon double bond. Anhydrous ZnCl ₂ and conc. HCl (Lucas reagent) is used for converting alcohols to alkyl chlorides and is not a reducing agent. LiAlH ₄ followed by hydrolysis ( H ₃ O ^+ ) selectively reduces the aldehyde group to a primary alcohol and does not