Selective Reduction of Aldehydes to Alcohols Using Alumina with a Catalytic Amount of Base Under Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

Aldehydes are selectively reduced to the corresponding alcohols in very good yields with alumina containing a catalytic amount of base under microwave irradiation at 300 W for 8–15 min.

Keywords:

• Alumina
• Microwave irradiation
• Reductions
• Aldehydes
• Alcohols
• Base
• Catalyst

Acknowledgment

The authors thank CSIR, New Delhi for the generous grant.

Notes

^aBefore using the alumina for reaction, the desired amount of alumina in a Petri‐dish was activated by irradiating in a domestic microwave oven at 800 W for 10 min.

^bSee footnote a.