title: Bimetallic isopropoxides M[Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(4)](3) (M = Pr, Nd)--catalyzed reduction of 2-octanone and benzophenone.
abstract: Bimetallic alkoxides of praseodymium and neodymium with aluminum, viz., M[Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(4)](3), where M = Pr(III)/Nd(III), have been used as catalysts in Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction of 2-octanone and benzophenone in isopropanol to give their corresponding secondary alcohols. The reduction of ketones is investigated by following the absorption spectra involving 4f-4f transitions. During the MPV reduction the oscillator strengths (P) and the Judd-Ofelt intensity (T(lambda), lambda = 2,4,6) parameters corresponding to each 4f-4f band (H43-->D21, H43-->P03, H43-->P13, and H43-->P23 in praseodymium, and I9/24-->F3/24, I9/24-->F5/24, I9/24-->F7/24, I9/24-->G5/24, and I9/24-->G7/24 in neodymium alkoxides) at different time intervals have also been calculated and used in the determination of rates. Rates were calculated in terms of complexation of ketone and isopropanol with M[Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(4)](3) during the MPV reaction, from the changes in both absorbance and oscillator strength with time, and were found to be comparable, verifying the Judd-Ofelt theory. The stronger oxyphilicity of Pr(III) and Nd(III) in M[Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(4)](3) than of their analogue Al(III) in Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(3) made the bimetallic alkoxides better catalyst in MPV reduction of ketones.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar 364 002, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Sudhindra N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: Ram S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Minaz A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gagnani