Strong reduction of organic acid group

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the challenge of completely reducing a carboxylic acid group to a hydrocarbon for polymerization purposes. The original poster seeks a method that avoids harsh chemicals or expensive catalysts, expressing frustration over the lack of straightforward solutions. Suggestions include considering esterification or other acid-base masking reactions, though the poster insists that an ester is not suitable for their needs. There is a caution that the desired reduction may affect other sensitive functional groups in the molecule intended for polymerization. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of functional group reduction in organic synthesis.
chad kimsey
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I've been thumbing back through my organic synthesis book to try and remember how to reduce a carboxylic functional group. I know how to do partial reduction to primary alcohols, or create aldehydes and or acyl halides. But isn't there a way to completely reduce it all the way to a hydrocarbon without too much trouble and nasty chemicals or expensive PtO catalysts? Haven't found a way yet...just wondering if anyone out there knew how to do this I'm trying to prep an organic species for polymerization, but the acidic group is a reactive site and I do not want the other monomers to bond there so I need to get rid of it completely
 
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Wouldn't it be easier to convert it into an ester?
 
Yeah, its almost never easier to get rid of a c-c bond than it is to esterify or amidify an acid. There's a half-dozen other acid-base masking reactions you could also do. I think DrDru answered this. It should be closed.
 
I'm trying to remove the oxygens, an ester is not the product I need. I may have to try a different structural molecule for the polymer i have in mind...I was thinking it could fully be reduced but can't remember how.
 
Maybe you could specify your monomer and what you really want. If you want to do a polymerization, your molecule probably contains other groups sensitive to reduction.
 
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