Modified Borohydride Agents^1a-d Methyltriphenylphosphonium Tetrahydroborate; MePh₃P⁺BH₄⁻ as a Selective and An Efficient Reducing Agent

Abstract

MePh₃P⁺BH₄ ⁻ is able to reduce aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols in CH₂Cl₂. Aldehydes are reduced with high selectivity in the presence of ketones. α,β-Unsaturated carbonyl compounds undergo 1,2-reduction and produce their corresponding allylic alcohols in high yields. Carboxylic acid chlorides are also converted to their alcohols with high yields.