Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones with NaBH4/Al2O3 Under Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract

Aldehydes and ketones are efficiently reduced to the corresponding alcohol using NaBH₄ supported onto alumina under solvent free conditions. It was found that the presence of small amount of methanol in reaction media is essential. Chemoselective 1,2-reduction of a, b-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to the corresponding allylic alcohols are also observed.