$\ce{NaBH4}$ is to be added slowly to 4-t-butylcyclcohexanone in ether solution according to laboratory procedures, but I am curious as to why that is? 4-t-butylcyclohexanone undergoes reduction with $\ce{NaBH4}$, so is the reason behind adding NaBH4 slowly to ensure maximum product formation, or is there some safety concern behind this?
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$\begingroup$ Are you sure this is $\ce{NaBH4}$ or it is really $\ce{LiAlH4}$? $\endgroup$ – Mathew Mahindaratne Aug 16 '18 at 1:01
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$\begingroup$ I am sure it is NaBH4 $\endgroup$ – Jon Aug 16 '18 at 1:04
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$\begingroup$ "adding NaBH4 slowly to ensure maximum product formation" why would slow addition give higher turnover? $\endgroup$ – Karl Aug 16 '18 at 5:56
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5$\begingroup$ It's generally good practice to add reagents slowly to prevent thermal runaway in exothermic reactions (where the heat given out by the reaction acts to accelerate it further, creating a feedback loop). Your reaction is in Et2O (B.P. 35C) so even a small exotherm would boil your solvent, hence the slow addition. $\endgroup$ – PCK Aug 16 '18 at 7:14
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1$\begingroup$ @PCK it is also good practice to render good answers as answers, like your comment above should be one. Thanks! $\endgroup$ – Oscar Lanzi Aug 16 '18 at 9:56
