Hydrogenation of Diaryl and Arylalkyl Ketones by Sodium Borohydride and Aluminum Chloride

Abstract
Diaryl and arylalkyl ketones such as acetophe-none, p-methylacetophenone, propiophenone, and benzophe-none as well as diaryl and arylalkyl secondary alcohols such as 1-phenylethanol and benzhydrol were effectively hydrogenated to hydrocarbons (methylene) by NaBH4, in combination with A1C13.