Interaction | Reaction | Process     Data Page

Reduction of acetic anhydride by lithium aluminium hydride in dry diethyl ether or THF gives two moles of ethanol (after an aqueous work-up).

The reaction probably starts with an SN2 displacement of acetate ion but both organic products are rapidly reduced all the way down to alkoxide salts.
(CH3CO)2CO
  +  
LiAlH4
  +  
8
[H]
  +  
         
2
CH3CH2OH
  +  
H2O
Reactant Page Go To Go To
Acetic anhydride     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Lithium aluminium hydride     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Hydrogen delivered equivalents     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Diethylether Solvent    Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Ethanol     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Water     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming

Interaction, Reaction, Process defined as:
Functional Group Interconvertion
Multistep: LA/B mechanism
Reduction: Of Substrate By Reagent

© Mark R. Leach 1999 –

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