Acid chlorides can be converted to aldehydes using LiAlH(Ot-Bu)3

Acid chlorides can be converted to aldehydes using lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminum hydride (LiAlH(Ot-Bu)₃). The hydride source (LiAlH(Ot-Bu)₃) is a weaker reducing agent than lithium aluminum hydride. Because acid chlorides are highly activated they still react with the hydride source; however, the formed aldehyde will react slowly, which allows for its isolation.

General Reaction:

Example 1

Contributors

• Prof. Steven Farmer (Sonoma State University)

• Modified by Prof. Mark Lipton (Purdue University)