What happens to ethanoic acid when it reacts with lithium aluminum hydride in ether followed by hydrolysis?
A) It converts to ethane.
B) It converts to ethanedioic acid.
C) It converts to ethanol.
D) It converts to ethanone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) is a strong reducing agent that can reduce carboxylic acids to primary alcohols. In this reaction, ethanoic acid is reduced to ethanol. Upon hydrolysis, the LiAlH4 is decomposed to LiOH and Al(OH)3 and the ethanol is produced. Option A is incorrect because ethane is not formed as a product of this reaction. Option B is incorrect because ethanedioic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that would not be formed in this reduction reaction. Option D is incorrect because ethanone is a ketone and would not be formed by the reduction of a carboxylic acid.

What Happens to Ethanoic Acid When It Reacts with Lithium