Which preposition to use for the reducing agent?

Which expression is correct when we use the prepositions *with* or *by* for indicating that the reduction is carried out using $\ce{NaBH4}$ as a reductor:



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> It is reduced to sodium phenylselenolate **with** $\ce{NaBH4}$ in alkaline ethanol.
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or:



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> It is reduced to sodium phenylselenolate **by** $\ce{NaBH4}$ in alkaline ethanol.
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Either is fine. In the most literal interpretation of the statement I would say **by** (as it does the actual action of reduction), however I personally would likely use **with**, to a scientist there is little difference though. If you were filing a patent, the term might might matter a bit more, which a quick survey of the patent literature suggests **with**. Again though this is minutia and nit-picky.


I would suggest phrasing your sentence more as: 



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> ...is reduced to sodium phenylselenolate **with a solution of** NaBH4 in alkaline ethanol . 
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