Question

The treatment of an open chain ester with $LiAl{H}_4$ followed by acid hydrolysis produces :

• A. two aldehyde
• B. one carboxylic acid and one alcohol
• C. two alcohols
• D. two acids

Answer 1

The correct option is C two alcohols

The treatment of an open chain ester with $LiAl{H}_4$ followed by acid hydrolysis produces two alcohols.
For example, reduction of methyl acetate with lithium aluminum hydride produces methanol and ethanol.
$C{H}_{3}COOC{H}_3+4\left[H^{+}\right]\to C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH+C{H}_{3}OH$
This reduction can also be carried out by using sodium in the presence of alcohol, or hydrogen gas in the presence of copper chromite catalyst under pressure at $200-{300}^{o}C$.