An Improved Bouveault−Blanc Ester Reduction with Stabilized Alkali Metals

Abstract

Significantly improved Bouveault−Blanc conditions for ester reduction have been developed using sodium in silica gel (Na-SG), a free-flowing powder that can be easily handled in the open atmosphere. Primary alcohols were prepared in excellent yield from a variety of aliphatic esters under mild reaction conditions. The chemistry presented here is far safer than the classic Bouveault−Blanc reduction and is competitive with more modern hydride reduction methods.