Cytostatic compounds. VI. Mechanism of the reduction of Schiff bases with activated aluminum in ethanol

Abstract

cf. preceding abstr. In the redn. of PhCH:NR (R = alkyl) with active Al-Hg in EtOH (loc. cit.), the yield of dimeric product, PhCH(NHR)CH(NHR)Ph was increased by the addn. of amines such as Et3N, Al(OEt)3 or AlCl3, this being explained in terms of decrease of retention force of the aldimine on the Al surface. Increase in HgCl2 also favors the dimer formation. In all cases, the recemic to meso ratio in the product was not affected markedly.