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Reduction of allylic systems
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The reduction of allylic systems involves the conversion of an allylic alcohol or halide to an alkene. This can be achieved using various reducing agents, such as:
Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4): A strong reducing agent capable of reducing a wide range of functional groups, including allylic alcohols.
Sodium borohydride (NaBH4): A milder reducing agent that selectively reduces aldehydes and ketones. It can also reduce allylic alcohols, but not as effectively as LiAlH4.
Wittig reaction: This reaction uses a phosphorus ylide to convert a carbonyl compound into an alkene. The Wittig reaction can be used to synthesize alkenes with various functionalities, including allylic systems.
Hydroboration-oxidation: This two-step reaction involves the addition of borane (BH3) to an alkene, followed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). This process can convert an alkene to an alcohol, including allylic alcohols.
The choice of reducing agent depends on the specific reaction conditions and desired product. For example, LiAlH4 is often used for the reduction of allylic alcohols to alkenes, while NaBH4 may be preferred for more selective reactions.
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