LiAlH4 vs NaBH4: Reduction Selectivity You Can Use on Exams

Stop memorizing blindly. Learn LiAlH4 vs NaBH4 selectivity with a clear scope table, common exam traps, and practice problems. Includes aldehydes/ketones/esters/acids/amides/nitriles.

• NaBH4 reduces: Aldehydes, ketones (usually)
• LiAlH4 reduces: Aldehydes, ketones, esters, acids, acid chlorides, anhydrides; often amides/nitriles → amines
• Workup: LiAlH4 requires aqueous workup; incompatible with protic solvents during reaction
• Common trap: Choosing NaBH4 for an ester (won’t reduce under typical conditions)
• Exam type: Choose conditions
• Exam type: Predict the major product
• Exam type: Failure modes / distractors