Meerwein‐Ponndorf‐Verley Reduction

Abstract

It is an aluminum alkoxide‐catalyzed reduction of carbonyl compounds (ketones and aldehydes) to corresponding alcohols using another alcohol (e.g., isopropanol) as the reducing agent or hydride source. This reaction is generally referred to as the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction (MPV) or Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reaction. Later several improvements have been incorporated for this reaction. This reaction has various advantages and does not affect other double bonds or triple bonds as well as other enolizable carbonyl compounds. All the steps of the reaction and suitable catalyst have been discussed. The study finds that the yields of reduction can be further enhanced by using freshly prepared nonaggregated aluminum alkoxide or by a slow addition of carbonyl compounds into the aluminum alkoxide solution, in addition, this reaction has been modified to reduce carbonyl compounds enantioselectively.