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Organic Chemistry

Does NaBH4 ( Sodium Borohydride) reduce carboxylic acid group(COOH)?

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7 Years agoGrade
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Profile image of Khimraj
7 Years ago
The carbonyl carbon of a carboxylic acid is even more electrophilic than the carbonyl carbon in an aldehyde or ketone. However, there is also an acid proton from the carboxylic acid that can react with hydride reagents. For this reason, sodium borohydride does not reduce a carboxylic acid.