Chemoselective reduction of aldehydes and ketones by potassium diisobutyl-t-butoxy aluminum hydride (PDBBA)

Abstract t-Butoxy derivatives of DIBALH [lithium diisobutyl- t -butoxyaluminum hydride (LDBBA), sodium diisobutyl- t -butoxyaluminum hydride (SDBBA), and potassium diisobutyl- t -butoxyaluminum hydride (PDBBA)] were examined as chemoselective reducing agents of carbonyl compounds. Among them, PDBBA was found to be the most efficient for the reduction of aldehydes and ketones to the corresponding alcohols in the presence of ester, amide, and nitrile substituents at ambient temperature. In addition, the optimal conditions gave higher chemoselectivity for aldehydes in the presence of ketones.