The Reductive Alkylation Reaction

Abstract

This chapter discusses the reductive alkylation reaction. The chemical reduction of coal can be accomplished in several different ways. The three methods that have been used most frequently to initiate reductive alkylation reactions involve an alkali metal and an electron transfer agent in ether such as tetrahydrofuran, a blue solution of an alkali metal in ether such as triglyme, or a blue solution of an alkali metal in liquid ammonia. The reactions of organic molecules with reducing agents in ether differ from the reactions of the same molecules with reducing agents in ammoniacal solvents. The subsequent chemical reactions of the reduced compounds with other organic reagents also differ. Consequently, the outcome of the reduction reaction and the reductive alkylation reaction depends upon the manner in which the reaction is initiated. The nature of the coal sample plays a very important role in the outcome of the reaction. The aromatic molecules separated from the coal by fragmentation reactions and the molecules freed from the coal by the collapse of the solid matrix transport electrons from the insoluble metal to the remaining portions of the coal.