Transformation of Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives into Aldehydes by Lithium Tris(dialkylamino)aluminum Hydrides

Transformation of Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives into Aldehydes by Lithium Tris(dialkylamino)aluminum Hydrides

A systematic study of the partial reduction of carboxylic acids and their derivatives to the corresponding aldehydes with lithium tris(dialkylamino)aluminum hydrides under practical conditions has been carried out. The diethylaminosubstituted derivative of lithium aluminum hydride, lithium tris(diethylamino)aluminum hydride (LTDEA), shows quite general applicability in the conversion of carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, and primary carboxamides to the corresponding aldehydes. Lithium tripiperidinoaluminum hydride (LTPDA) also appears to be a reagent of choice for such partial transformation of primary carboxamides. In additioin, both LTDEA and LTPDA reduce tertiary carboxyamides to aldehydes in high yields. Finally, lithium tris(dihexylamino)aluminum hydride (LTDHA) is capable of achieving the chemoselective reduction of aromatic nitriles to aldehydes in the presence of aliphatic nitriles under practical conditions.