Question

Convert, ethanoic acid to ethanol.

Hint:

For industrial purposes, acids are often converted to esters first and then reduced using catalytic hydrogenation (\( H_2 / Ni \)), as \( LiAlH_4 \) is very expensive.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Carboxylic acids are resistant to reduction and require strong reagents to be converted into primary alcohols.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Ethanoic acid (\(CH_3COOH\)) is treated with Lithium Aluminium Hydride (\(LiAlH_4\)) in dry ether, followed by acid hydrolysis.
This process reduces the carboxyl group (\(-COOH\)) to a primary alcohol group (\(-CH_2OH\)).
Reaction:
\[ CH_3COOH \xrightarrow[ii) H_3O^+]{i) LiAlH_4 / \text{ether}} CH_3CH_2OH \]
Step 4: Final Answer:
Reduction of ethanoic acid yields ethanol.