Question
Which of the following pair of reagents is used for the conversion of carboxylic acid to alcohol ?
MHT CET
Chemistry
Alcohols Phenols and Ethers
2026
MHT CET 2026 (19 April Shift 1)
MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. LiAlH _4 / H _3 O ^+
- B. H _2 / Ni - heat
- C. B _2 H _6 / H _2 O _2, OH ^-
- D. H _2 / Pd
Answer
A. LiAlH _4 / H _3 O ^+
Step-by-step solution
Carboxylic acids are reduced to primary alcohols by strong reducing agents such as lithium aluminium hydride ( LiAlH _4) followed by acid hydrolysis ( H _3 O ^+). RCOOH LiAlH _4 RCH _2 O ^- Li ^+ H _3 O ^+ RCH _2 OH Catalytic hydrogenation using H _2 / Ni or H _2 / Pd does not reduce carboxylic acids. B _2 H _6 / H _2 O _2, OH ^- is the reagent for the hydroboration-oxidation of alkenes to alcohols. Answer: LiAlH _4 / H _3 O ^+
Related: Chemistry — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers · All PYQ Banks