Reduction of Carboxylic Acids Lithium aluminum hydride reduces carboxylic acids back to primary alcohols. (1)LiAIH R- (2)H,0+ R一CH,-OH acid primary alcohol Example (1)LiAIH CH2一C -OH (2)H0+ CH2一CHOH (75%) phenylacetic acid 2-phenylethanol 2013 Pearon Ecatkn hnc The reaction proceeds through an aldehyde but it cannot be stopped at that stage since aldehydes are more easily reduced the carboxylic acid. Ch20 Carboxylic Acids (landscape) Page 28 Ch20 Carboxylic Acids (landscape) Page 28 Reduction of Carboxylic Acids Lithium aluminum hydride reduces carboxylic acids back to primary alcohols. The reaction proceeds through an aldehyde but it cannot be stopped at that stage since aldehydes are more easily reduced the carboxylic acid