This mechanism is for a LiAlH4 reduction. The mechanism for a NaBH4 reduction is the same except methanol is the proton source used in the second step. 1) Nucleophilic attack by the hydride anion 2) The alkoxide is protonated Going from Reactants to Products Simplified Properties of hydri...
It is likely that the initial reduction of the carboxylic function of the surfactant, into an –OH will result in a different stabilization mechanism of the alanate, and thus different particle sizes. For example, it has been reported that the binding energy between Li+ and the various ...