Question

question
what would the first reduction product of butanoic acid be?
select the correct answer below:
○ ch₃ch₂ch₂cho
○ ch₃ch₂ch₂ch₂oh
○ ch₃ch₂ch₂ch₃
○ all of the above

Explanation:

Step1: Understand reduction of carboxylic acid

Carboxylic acid reduction first gives aldehyde (with mild reducing agent like \( \text{DIBAL - H} \)).

Step2: Analyze butanoic acid (\( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} \)) reduction

Butanoic acid \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} \) first reduces to \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CHO} \) (butanal). Further reduction (with strong reducing agent like \( \text{LiAlH}_4 \)) gives \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \) (butanol). \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \) (butane) is not a direct first - stage reduction product. So only \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CHO} \) is the first reduction product.

Answer:

A. \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CHO} \)