Reaction of Diisobutylaluminum Borohydride, a Binary Hydride, with Selected Organic Compounds Containing Representative Functional Groups.

The binary hydride, diisobutylaluminum borohydride [(Bu)AlBH], synthesized from diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL) and borane dimethyl sulfide (BMS) has shown great potential in reducing a variety of organic functional groups. This unique binary hydride, (Bu)AlBH, is readily synthesized, versatile, and simple to use. Aldehydes, ketones, esters, and epoxides are reduced very fast to the corresponding alcohols in essentially quantitative yields.