Luche Reduction

Abstract The reduction of carbonyl group into an alcohol using the combination of sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) and cerium chloride (CeCl 3 ) in methanol as the reducing reagent is generally known as the Luche reduction.and the combination of NaBH 4 and CeCl 3 is referred to as the Luche reagent. The study finds that reaction occurs under very mild conditions and tolerates a variety of functional groups within the same substrates and always gives 1,2‐addition products if the carbonyl group is conjugated to an alkenyl, aryl, or alkynyl group. This reduction also demonstrates chemoselectivity between ketone and aldehyde groups and certain level of stereoselectivity and diastereoselectivity. This reaction has been broadly applicable in organic synthesis.