Aluminumoxyhydride: Improved synthesis and application as a selective reducing agent

Aluminumoxyhydride (HAIO) is obtained by the reaction of aluminum hydride with the siloxane [(Me2HSi).sub 2]O or the stannoxane [(Bu3Sn).sub. 2)O as an amorphous colorless insoluble powder. The resulting suspensions from the reaction are 0.4-0.5 M in active hydride content and they selectively reduce aldehydes and ketones to the respective alcohols in the presence of any other common nonprotic functional group.