NaBH4/NaNO3/H2O: A Convenient System for Selective Reduction of Aldehydes VS. Ketones to their Corresponding Alcohols

NaBH 4 (1.25 equivalents) & NaNO 3 (3 equivalents) reduce a variety of aldehydes in the presence of ketones to their corresponding alcohols. Also, regioselectivity and exclusive 1,2reduction enals to their corresponding allylic alcohols in high to excellent yields was achieved successfully with this reducing system. The reduction reactions were carried out in water as green solvent in high to excellent yields of the products. A nitrate-borane complex [H3B-NO3]Na is possibly the active reductant in the reaction mixture.