Hi!

 

I was wondering if anyone knows what the neutral option is for the reduction of a carbonyl group??

 

I know about the Clemmensen and Wolff kishner but not this!!

 

Please help

 

Thanks

I think you're thinking of thioacetal formation and reduction with Raney nickel. The thioacetal formation does require acidic conditions, however, but the reduction itself requires neutral conditions. Plus, it should be noted that the acidity required should be less than that required for Clemmenson and far less harsh than the obscenely basic conditions required for Wolff-Kishner.

 

Carbonyl--(HSCH2CH2SH/H+)-->Thioacetal--(H2, Raney Ni)-->Alkane+Ethane+2NiS

I THINK this is it:

 

1) Reduction with hydrogen in the presence of metals like Pt, Pd, Ni, or Ru.

2) Reduction with sodium borohydride or lithium aluminium hydride.

3) Reduction using aluminium isopropoxide in isopropyl alcohol. This is known

as MEERWIN PONNDORF VERLEY reduction.

4) Bimolecular reduction to pinacols using Mg/Hg and water.

 

That's it. Let me know if you require details also.

I think he wanted to reduce the carbonyl not to the alcohol, but to the alkane.

Thats very kind. Both have helped loads

 

Thank you very much