[Noff]

6-methyl-hept-5-en-2-one is to be reduced with the aid of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄).

The second step is protonation by addition of HCL and H₂O.

The product formed is 6-methyl-hept-5-en-2-ol, also known as "sulcatol".

I wish to know the balanced equations for the two steps. My lab instruction book says that the theoretical balanced reactions do not apply in reality, which has confused me even more.

[Dolphinsiu]

You may think some side reaction will occur like ether formation!