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NaOH‐Promoted Hydrogen Transfer: Does NaOH or Traces of Transition Metals Catalyze the Reaction?
Author(s) -
Ouali Armelle,
Majoral JeanPierre,
Caminade AnneMarie,
Taillefer Marc
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.200900237
Subject(s) - chemistry , anhydrous , catalysis , reagent , transition metal , inert , inert gas , hydrogen , organic chemistry , inorganic chemistry , combinatorial chemistry
NaOH is revealed as an excellent catalyst for the hydrogen transfer of a wide range of aromatic and aliphatic ketones, which can be converted in high yields into the corresponding alcohols. The method is simple, cheap, uses a nontoxic and easy‐to‐handle catalyst, and does not require strictly anhydrous reagents, an inert atmosphere, transition metals, or any additional ligands. The pathway of this reaction is still debatable: is it a Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley‐like process or are traces of transition metals present in commercial NaOH responsible for the activity? Possible mechanisms of this surprising reaction are discussed.