Studies of Reduction of Various Organic Compounds with the Nickel(II) Chloride-Zinc System

Abstract

The reduction of a variety of functional groups with the nickel(II) chloride-zinc system was investigated. This system reduced aldehydes, ketones, olefins, nitriles, oxime, nitro and heterocyclic compounds under mild conditions in good yields. It is of interest that some cases of reduction of ketones afforded the corresponding olefins and the saturated products, and the reduction of nitriles afforded the corresponding primary alcohols with the primary and secondary amines. The selective reduction of olefin and nitro functionalities in some compounds bearing carbonyl, ester and carboxyl functionalities was observed with this system.