REDUCTION OF CARBONYL COMPOUNDS TO THE CORRESPONDING ALCOHOLS WITH ISOPROPANOL ON DEHYDRATED ALUMINA UNDER MICROWAVE IRRADIATION

ABSTRACT The reduction of different types of aldehydes and ketones were performed in the presence of isopropylalcohol (as solvent and hydride source) under microwave irradiation. It is proved that dehydrated Woelm chromatographic alumina supported KOH catalyses these transformations. Regioselectivity was observed in the reduction of cinnamaldehyde and chemoselectivity was observed in the reduction of carbonyl in the presence of nitro group.