Question

Reduction of alkyl halides.

Answer 1

R – X → R – H

This reaction can be accomplished by any of the following reagents

1. LiAlH₄

2. NaBH₄

3. Na/C₂H₅OH

4. Zn/CH₃COOH or dil HCl

• NaBH reduces only 2° and 3° alkyl halides.

• Reaction does not take place with alkyl fluorides

Alkyl halides (particulary iodides) on treatment with hydrogen iodide in presence of red phosphorus get reduced to alkanes.

(phosphorus removes iodine from the reaction mixture so that it does not react with alkanes).