Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
DIBAL-H Reduction
DIBAL-H (Diisobutylaluminum hydride) is a selective reducing agent used in organic chemistry to reduce esters and other carbonyl compounds to aldehydes. At low temperatures, such as -78 °C, DIBAL-H can stop the reduction at the aldehyde stage, preventing further reduction to alcohols. Understanding this selective reduction is crucial for predicting the products of the reaction shown.
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DIBAL-H on Esters and Nitriles
Mechanism of Carbonyl Reduction
The mechanism of carbonyl reduction involves the nucleophilic attack of the hydride ion from DIBAL-H on the electrophilic carbon of the carbonyl group. This leads to the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate, which can collapse to form either an aldehyde or an alcohol, depending on the reaction conditions. Recognizing this mechanism helps in predicting the major product of the reaction.
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Birch Reduction Mechanism
Hydrolysis of Aldehydes
After the reduction step, the addition of water (H2O) typically leads to hydrolysis of the formed aldehyde. This step involves the reaction of the aldehyde with water, resulting in the formation of an alcohol. Understanding this hydrolysis process is essential for determining the final product of the reaction sequence presented.
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