What is a common outcome when aldehydes or ketones are treated with hydride reagents?

When aldehydes or ketones are treated with hydride reagents, they undergo a reduction reaction that converts them into alcohols. Hydride reagents, such as lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) or sodium borohydride (NaBH4), provide a source of hydride ions (H-) which can effectively donate electrons to the carbonyl carbon of the aldehyde or ketone. This leads to the formation of an alkoxide intermediate, which, upon protonation, yields the corresponding alcohol.

Aldehydes are typically reduced to primary alcohols, while ketones are reduced to secondary alcohols. This transformation is fundamental in organic chemistry, often utilized in synthetic pathways to create a variety of alcohol functionalities. Recognizing the nature of this reaction is crucial for understanding key synthesis strategies in organic reactions, especially those involving carbonyl compounds.