Reaction of Sodium Diethyldihydroaluminate with Selected Organic Compounds Containing Representative Functional Groups

The approximate rates and stoichiometry of the reaction of excess sodium diethyldihydroaluminate (SDDA) with 68 selected organic compounds containing representative functional groups were examined under standard conditions (THF-toluene, $0^{\circ}C$ in order to compare its reducing characteristics with lithium aluminum hydride (LAH), aluminum hydride, and diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAH) previously examined, and enlarge the scope of its applicability as a reducing agent. Alcohols, phenol, thiols and amines evolve hydrogen rapidly and quantitatively. Aldehydes and ketones of diverse structure are reduced rapidly to the corresponding alcohols. Reduction of norcamphor gives 11% exo-and 89% endo-norborneol. Conjugated aldehydes such as cinnamaldehyde are rapidly and cleanly reduced to the corresponding allylic alcohols. p-Benzoquinone is mainly reduced to hydroquinone. Hexanoic acid and benzoic acid liberate hydrogen rapidly and quantitatively, however reduction proceeds very slowly. Acid chlorides and esters tested are all reduced rapidly to the corresponding alcohols. However cyclic acid anhydrides such as succinic anhydride are reduced to the lactone stage rapidly, but very slowly thereafter. Although alkyl chlorides are reduced very slowly alkyl bromides, alkyl iodides and epoxides are reduced rapidly with an uptake of 1 equiv of hydride. Styrene oxide is reduced to give 1-phenylethanol quantitatively. Primary amides are reduced very slowly; however, tertiary amides take up 1 equiv of hydride rapidly. Tertiary amides could be reduced to the corresponding aldehydes in very good yield ( > 90%) by reacting with equimolar SDDA at room temperature. Hexanenitrile is reduced moderately accompanying 0.6 equiv of hydrogen evolution, however the reduction of benzonitrile proceeds rapidly to the imine stage and very slowly thereafter. Benzonitrile was reduced to give 90% yield of benzaldehyde by reaction with 1.1 equiv of hydride. Nitro compounds, azobenzene and azoxybenzene are reduced moderately at $0^{\circ}C$, but nitrobenzene is rapidly reduced to hydrazobenzene stage at room temperature. Cyclohexanone oxime is reduced to the hydroxylamine stage in 12 h and no further reaction is apparent. Pyridine is reduced sluggishly at $0^{\circ}C$, but moderately at room temperature to 1,2-dihydropyridine stage in 6 h; however further reaction is very slow. Disulfides and sulfoxides are reduced rapidly, whereas sulfide, sulfone, sulfonic acid and sulfonate are inert under these reaction conditions.