The reagent 'X' must be capable of performing both transformations:
- Reaction 1 (Reduction of Carboxylic Acid): Carboxylic acids are reduced to primary alcohols by strong reducing agents like Lithium Aluminium Hydride (LiAlH4) or Diborane (B2H6). notably, B2H6 is a versatile reagent that reduces carboxylic acids even more readily than esters or ketones. Sodium Borohydride (NaBH4) does not reduce carboxylic acids.
- Reaction 2 (Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkene): The conversion of an alkene (R−CH=CH2) to a primary alcohol (R−CH2−CH2−OH) anti-Markovnikov addition of water requires Diborane (B2H6) followed by oxidation with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (H2O2/OH−). LiAlH4 does not effect this transformation.
Since 'X' must be common to both, B2H6 is the correct answer.