Preparation of Alcohols (ii)
from Carboxylic Acids and its Derivatives
Reduction of carboxylic acids
Carboxylic acid with strong reducing agents like LiAlH4 gives alcohols.
Derivatives of R-COOH
Acid chlorides (R-COCl), Acid anhydrides (RCO)2O, Esters (R-COOR') etc. are derivatives of R-COOH and produce alcohols upon reduction.
Acid amide (R-CONH2) is a derivative of carboxylic acid but forms amines (R-NH2) upon reduction.
Esters
As said above, esters (RCOOR') upon reduction form alcohols. However, in case of esters, a mixture of two alcohols is obtained (one from RCO- and the other from -OR').
Preparation of alcohols by hydrolysis of esters
Esters react with aqueous alkalies to produce alcohols.
