Question

Which of the following reagents can convert propionic acid into propan-`1-ol`?
A. `H_(2)//Ni`
B. `Na//C_(2)H_(5)OH`
C. `LiAlH_(4)`
D. `C_(2)H_(5)I`

Answer 1

Correct Answer - C
Lithium aluminium hydride reduces carboxylic acids to primary alcohols in excellent yields :
`CH_(3)CH_(2)COOH underset((2)H_(3)O^(+)) overset((1)LAH,Et_(2)O) rarr CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(2)OH`
`NaBH_(4)` and `Na//C_(2)H_(5)OH` do not reduce the acid but `H_(2)//Ni` reduces the acid to the corresponding alkane.
`CH_(3)CH_(2)COCH underset(Ni) overset(H_(2))rarr CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(3)`