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LiAlH4 quenching

Ilaria
in Inorganic Chemistry

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Dear all,

I would like to understand why after the reduction of an amide with LiAlH4 in THF the reaction is quenched with 5% aqueous NaOH and not just with water. Does this have to do with the dangerous reactivity of LiAlH4 towards water or with the formation of emulsions? What happens and what is formed when you quench with water and when you quench with NaOH?
Thank you in advance!

It might be simply to keep the Al in solution as sodium aluminate.

I believe this is correct.

 

Different labs will have different preferences for quenching LiAlH4. My lab likes to use Na2SO4. I've also used plain water followed by slow addition of H2SO4. Make sure you quench cold, slowly, and preferably while still under inert atmosphere.

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