Fast and efficient method for reduction of carbonyl compounds with NaBH4/wet SiO2 under solvent free condition

Abstract

Reduction of structurally different carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, α,β-unsaturated enals and enones, α-diketones and acyloins were accomplished efficiently by sodium borohydride in the presence of wet SiO2 (30% m/m) under solvent free condition. The reactions were performed at room temperature or 75-80°C with high to excellent yields of the corresponding products. The chemoselective reduction of aldehydes over ketones was achieved successfully with this reducing system. ©2005 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.