Concerning the mechanism of reaction of lithium aluminum hydride with alkyl halides

A detailed study of the mechanism of reaction of LiAlH 4 with alkyl halides has been carried out with special emphasis on the use of radical probes. The data presented strongly support the validity of using radical probes in this reaction as an indication of an electron-transfer process. These studies also suggest a radical chain process (hydrogen atom transfer) in addition to the halogen atom transfer process on which we reported earlier. Studies to determine the influence of impurities as well as a potential metal-halogen exchange process are also reported