ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 17, Number 4
JKCSEZ 17(4)
August 20, 1973 

The addition of one mole of aluminum chloride to three moles of sodium borohydride in tetrahydrofuran gives a turbid solution with enormously more powerful reducing properties than those of sodium borohydride itself. The reducing properties of this reagent were tested with 49 organic compounds which have representative functional groups. Alcohols liberated hydrogen immediately but showed no sign of hydrogenolysis of alkoxy group. Aldehydes and ketones were reduced rapidly within one hr. Acyl derivatives were reduced moderately, however, carboxylic acids were reduced much more slowly. Esters, lactones and epoxides were reduced readily than sodium borohydride or borane. Tertiary amide was reduced slowly, however, primary amide consumed one hydride for hydrogen evolution but reduction was sluggish. Aromatic nitrile was reduced much more readily than aliphatic nitrile. Nitro compounds were inert to this reagent but azo and azoxy groups were slowly attacked. Oxime was reduced slowly but isocyanate was only partially reduced. Disulfide and sulfoxide were attacked slowly but sulfide and sulfone were inert. Olefin was hydroborated rapidly.