Question

Which of the following reagents will convert propionic acid to 1-propanol ?

(a) KMnO₄ 

(b) MnO₂ 

(c) Cr₂O₃ 

(d) LiAlH₄

Answer 1

Correct option is (d) LiAlH₄  

LiAlH₄ is a powerful reducing agent that can reduce carboxylic acids, such as propionic acid, to their corresponding primary alcohols. In this case, it will reduce propionic acid to 1-propanol. The reaction can be represented as follows:

CH₃CH₂COOH (Propionic acid) + 4LiAlH₄ → CH₃CH₂CH₂OH (1-Propanol) + 4LiAlO₂ + 4H₂