Reducing power

Strong Weak

Dangerous(Difficult)

LiAlH4, Red-Al LiBH4, BH3 NaBH4

Handling(Scale up)

Red-Al; NaAlH2(OCH2CH2OCH3)2

Safe(Easy)

◯　 Aldehyde, Ketone ☓ Ester*, Carboxylic

acid, Amide

*Ester can be reduced under specific conditions.

Typical reducing agents for the reduction of carbonyl group

A

O OH

A

OH A= H, ORA= R