Hey guys I am hoping that someone here who has a strong organic background can help me out. Quant, phys chem, no problems ... organic on the other hand I hardly have my head above the water. Honestly I don't feel that I deserve the grades I have.

 

In the synthesis of 1-phenylethanol, we poured acetophenone into methanol. Next, we prep a solution of methanol, sodium methoxide, and sodium borohydride (in that order). Slowly poured the borohydride solution into the acetophenone/methanol mixture.

 

I know that NaBH4 is providing the hydride ions ... but why methanol? Maybe I need some sleep here or a refresher on the reduction of carbonyl groups but the answer isn't poping up at the moment.

 

Thanks!

If i remember rightly sodium tetrahydridoborate is a selective reducer. The conditions aren't anything special for it so i don't see why you need the methanol. Unless it is that, to do with the reaction yield.

Simply the polar protic solvent, you should serach this term in the index of your org. chem text.