Carboxylic acids can be reduced to primary alcohols through various methods, with common reducing agents including lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH₄) and sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). LiAlH₄ is a potent and versatile reducing agent that can reduce carboxylic acids to primary alcohols in a one-step process. However, it is highly reactive and must be used cautiously. NaBH₄ is milder and safer but is generally effective only for less sterically hindered carboxylic acids. The reduction involves the addition of hydride ions (H⁻) to the carbonyl carbon of the carboxylic acid, leading to the formation of a primary alcohol.