Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Sodium borohydride: The sodium salt of the tetrahydridoborate anion; Na⁺ BH₄^-. A reducing agent, principally for the chemoselective reduction of carbonyl compounds.

Lewis structure of sodium borohydride.

Sodium Borohydride Reduction of Carbonyl Compounds

NaBH₄ reduces an aldehyde to a primary alcohol.


NaBH₄ reduces a ketone to a secondary alcohol.


NaBH₄ reduces an acid chloride to a primary alcohol.


NaBH₄ does not reduce an amide or an ester.