Red-Al, Sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminumhydride
Sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminium hydride (Red-Al) is comparable
with LiAlH4.
The most important differences are found in the reduction of nitriles,
which are selectively reduced to aldehydes, and in the reduction of
aromatic aldehydes.
The main advantages of the reagent compared with lithium aluminium hydride are the insensitivity against oxygen and the good solubility in organic solvents. Thus, a 70%-solution in toluol is commercially available.
Recent Literature
Treatment of
γ-hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters with sodium borohydride or Red-Al gave
γ-hydroxy-α,β-alkenoic esters by means of trans-selective
addition of two hydrogen atoms or a hydrogen atom and an iodine atom
across the triple bond.
C. T. Meta, K. Koide, Org. Lett., 2004, 6, 1785-1787.
