CHM 2120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Sodium Formate, Sodium Borohydride, Molecular Mass
7 Mar 2018
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Full reaction mechanism for the reduction of benzyl using sodium borohydride (left) See chm 1321 introductory organic chemistry laboratory manual 2017, pages 40 41. The benzil was a yellow, crystalline solid. The sodium borohydride was a fine solid white powder. The ethanol was a clear, colorless, odorless liquid. The dichloromethane was a clear, colorless, odorless liquid. The benzil appeared to not dissolve successfully within the ethanol as granules of powder were still visible under the liquid. The benzil dissolved within the dichloromethane to give a pale yellow colour to the solution. Both the ethanol and the dichloromethane had a smell reminiscent to that of nail varnish. Upon the first two additions of the sodium borohydride to the benzil, there appeared to be no change. However, on the third addition, it grew into a darker yellow after the first 10 minutes. Upon cooling, this mixture turned a milky, cloudy white and grew thick and viscous.
