Reduction and coupling reaction of carbonyl compounds by KI/Fe(OH)3 in aqueous media

ABSTRACT

A small amount of ferric hydroxide was found to catalyze KI-activated coupling of aromatic aldehydes and acetophenone to give the corresponding pinacols in high yields. The ratio of meso to dl isomer was approximately 1:1. Most aliphatic aldehydes and ketones were unreactive under the same conditions.