An improved Bouveault-Blanc ester reduction with stabilized alkali metals.
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.
Bodnar
Brian S
BS
Process Development Services, SiGNa Chemistry, Inc., 1 Deer Park Drive, Suite C, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852, USA. bsbodnar@signachem.com
Vogt
Paul F
PF