Which reducing agent is used for the following conversion ?
`RCO OH to RCH_(2)OH`

Options

A. `LiAlH_(4)`
B. `NaBH_(4)`
C. `K_(2)Cr_(2)O_(7)`
D. `KMnO_(4)`

Explanation

To determine the appropriate reducing agent for the conversion of a carboxylic acid (RCOOH) to an alcohol (RCH2OH), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Functional Groups**:
- The starting compound is a carboxylic acid (RCOOH).
- The target compound is a primary alcohol (RCH2OH).

2. **Understand the Reduction Process**:
- The conversion from a carboxylic acid to an alcohol involves the reduction of the carbonyl group (C=O) in the carboxylic acid to a hydroxyl group (–OH) in the alcohol.

3. **Determine the Type of Reducing Agent Needed**:
- To reduce a carboxylic acid to an alcohol, a strong reducing agent is typically required. This is because the carboxylic acid is a relatively stable compound and requires a strong agent to effectively reduce it.

4. **Evaluate the Given Options**:
- **LiAlH4 (Lithium Aluminum Hydride)**: This is a strong reducing agent and is capable of reducing carboxylic acids to alcohols.
- **NaBH4 (Sodium Borohydride)**: This is a weaker reducing agent and is generally used for the reduction of aldehydes and ketones, but not carboxylic acids.
- **K2Cr2O7 (Potassium Dichromate)**: This is an oxidizing agent, not a reducing agent.
- **KMnO4 (Potassium Permanganate)**: This is also an oxidizing agent.

5. **Select the Appropriate Reducing Agent**:
- Among the options, **LiAlH4** is the only suitable reducing agent for the conversion of RCOOH to RCH2OH.

### Final Answer:
The reducing agent used for the conversion of RCOOH to RCH2OH is **LiAlH4**.

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