Question

How to convert a carboxylic acid to an alcohol?

Answer 1

A carboxylic acid contains carboxylic group `-COOH`.

Its formula may be written as `RCOOH`

Alcohol is produced from it by REDUCTION , Then its `-COOH`group turns into `-CH_2OH` group( a primary alcoholic group.)

And the reaction is presented in the form of equation as

`RCOOH + [4H]->RCH_2OH+H_2O`

The Reagent of this REDUCTION process may be

`"Lithium tetrahydridoaluminate/Dry ether "->LiAlH_4`

The following link will help to know other reagents used for the process
http://www.organic-chemistry.org/synthesis/O1H/reductioncarboxylcompounds.shtm