One of the mose generel methods for preparing alcohols is by reduction of a carbonyl compound. As we saw in Section 10.10, an organic reduction is a reaction that adds hydrogen to a molecule:
All kinds of carbonyl compounds can be reduced, including aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters.
Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones
Aldehydes and ketones are easily reduced to yield alcohols. Aldehydes are converted into primary alcohols, and ketones are converted into secondary alcohols
Many reagents are used to reduce ketones and aldehy to alcohols, but sodium borohydride, NaBH4, is usually chosen because of ifs safety and ease of handling. sodium borohydride is a wite, crystalline solid that can be weighed in the open atmosphere and used in either water or alcohol solution. hihg yilds of products are usually obtained.