why is ethanol not methanol used as an organic solvent with sodium borohydride?

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why is ethanol not methanol used as an organic solvent with sodium borohydride?

2007-12-05 04:57:48 · 3 answers · asked by vanessa velasquez 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

3 answers

It is cheaper, less toxic, and has a higher boiling point.

2007-12-05 05:13:29 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋

I have used both and both react with NaBH4 to produce H2 gas. Methanol is faster than ethanol. So, depending on your reduction, isolation, work-up, etc., you can choose either one. Obviously, if you have a slow reduction you will consume more reagent while your reduction is taking place. The simple expedient is to just use ethanol.

2007-12-05 17:18:09 · answer #2 · answered by Dr OChem 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Ethanol, moonshine, or corn liquor is usually make from fermenting corn. Hence it is organic based. .

Methanol is Petro-Chemical, or crude oil, based.

2007-12-05 13:11:28 · answer #3 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋