The mechanism for the reduction of a ketone by sodium borohydride and lithium aluminum hydride LiAl hoH H H→H NaBH4 nucleophile addition Hydride transfer Alcohols Sodium borohydride(nabha is a milder reducing agent than lithium aluminum hydride lialh4). Lithium aluminum hydride will reduce acids. Esters, aldehydes, and ketones but sodium borohydride will reduce only aldehydes and ketonesThe mechanism for the reduction of a ketone by sodium borohydride and Lithium aluminum hydride O LiAlH4 NaBH4 [H - ] Hydride transfer O - H HOH H OH Alcohols nucleophile addition Sodium borohydride (NaBH4 ) is a milder reducing agent than lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4 ). Lithium aluminum hydride will reduce acids. Esters, aldehydes, and ketones; but sodium borohydride will reduce only aldehydes and ketones