A complex organic molecule contains both a carboxylic acid () group and an ester () group. Which spe — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
A complex organic molecule contains both a carboxylic acid ($-COOH$) group and an ester ($-COOR$) group. Which specialized reducing agent must be used to selectively reduce ONLY the carboxylic acid to a primary alcohol?
Answer: D
💡 Solution & Explanation
$NaBH_4$ is too weak to reduce acids. $LiAlH_4$ is a harsh agent that indiscriminately reduces both the acid and the ester. Diborane ($B_2H_6$) is a highly selective electrophilic agent that cleanly reduces $-COOH$ without touching esters.
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