Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones to Corresponding Alcohols Using Diammonium Hydrogen Phosphite and Commercial Zinc Dust

K Anil Kumar,D Channe Gowda

doi:10.1155/2011/493685

Abstract

A mild and an efficient system has been developed for the reduction of aromatic aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols in good yield using inexpensive commercial zinc dust as catalyst and diammonium hydrogen phosphite as a hydrogen donor.

Highlights

Benzylic alcohols and their derivatives occupy an important position in organic synthesis
As a part of our research on searching for more environmentally benign methods to reduce carbonyls, we have developed a new and efficient method to reduce aldehydes and ketones to alcohols, using zinc and diammonium hydrogen phosphite, as a reducing agent in toluene/water media at refluxed condition (Scheme 1)
The proposed system is highly efficient in reducing both nitro and carbonyl groups; where as most of the existing methods were not able to reduce both functional groups simultaneously

Summary

Introduction

Benzylic alcohols and their derivatives occupy an important position in organic synthesis. Preparation of benzylic alcohols and its derivatives from the reduction of carbonyl functional group is of great importance in organic chemistry and there are numerous applications in fine chemical industry and laboratory[1]. The reduction of carbonyls to the corresponding alcohols with zinc dust was known to occur under acidic conditions[10,11].

Results

Conclusion