Novel Method of Reducing Ketones Using Sodium Hydroxide in Isopropanol

Abstract

Ketones are readily reduced to secondary alcohols with sodium hydroxide in refluxing isopropanol.

Keywords:

• Hydrogen transfer
• ketone reduction
• preparation of secondary alcohols
• sodium hydroxide

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Covenant College Kaleo Center, an NSF RSEC grant, Research Corporation, the University of Chattanooga Foundation, and the Grote Chemistry Fund.

Notes

^a Isolated yield was lowered because of the volatility of the alcohol.

^b Nucleophilic aromatic substitution side products were observed in the product mixture.