title: An improved Bouveault-Blanc ester reduction with stabilized alkali metals.
abstract: Significantly improved Bouveault-Blanc conditions for ester reduction have been developed using sodium in silica gel (Na-SG), a free-flowing powder that can be easily handled in the open atmosphere. Primary alcohols were prepared in excellent yield from a variety of aliphatic esters under mild reaction conditions. The chemistry presented here is far safer than the classic Bouveault-Blanc reduction and is competitive with more modern hydride reduction methods.
authors.affiliation: Process Development Services, SiGNa Chemistry, Inc., 1 Deer Park Drive, Suite C, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852, USA. bsbodnar@signachem.com
authors.forename: Brian S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Bodnar
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Vogt