Strong Reductions using Lithium Aluminum Hydride (LAH)

The video tutorial covers the reduction of carbonyl compounds using sodium borohydride and lithium aluminum hydride. Sodium borohydride is a weak reducing agent effective on ketones and aldehydes, but not on carboxylic acids, esters, or amides. Lithium aluminum hydride, a stronger reducing agent, can reduce a wider range of compounds, including carboxylic acids and esters, into alcohols, and amides into amines. The tutorial explains the mechanisms and provides practical examples and strategies for using these reducing agents.

What products are formed when esters are reduced using lithium aluminum hydride?

What happens when an amide is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride?

What is the mechanism of reduction for an aldehyde using lithium aluminum hydride?

Why is lithium aluminum hydride considered a stronger reducing agent than sodium borohydride?