Aromatic compounds Wolff-Kishner reduction

The first report on a successful microwave-assisted one-step reduction of ketones to their respective hydrocarbons via the hydrazones appeared in 20 0 265. This so called Huang-Minlon variant of the Wolff-Kishner reduction was successfully applied to some aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, including intermediates in the synthesis of the alkaloid flavopereirine. The reactions were performed by mixing the carbonyl compound with 2 equiv of hydrazine hydrate and an excess of powdered KOH in a commercial microwave oven. The mixtures were irradiated at 150 W for a few minutes before 250-350 W irradiations were applied (Scheme 4.39). The reaction was shown... 

When cyclic anhydrides are used as one component, the Friedel-Crafts acylation provides a means of adding a new ring to an aromatic compound. One illustration is shown here. Note that only the ketone is reduced in the Clemmensen reduction step. The carboxylic acid is unaffected. The same result can be achieved using the Wolff-Kishner reduction. 

Haworth phenanthrene synthesis. Acylation of aromatic compounds with aliphatic dibasic acid anhydrides to (i-aroylpropionic acids, reduction of the carbonyl group according to Clemmensen or Wolff-Kishner procedures, cyclization of the y-arylbutyric acid with 85% sulfuric acid, and conversion of the cyclic ketone to polycyclic hydroaromatic and subsequently to aromatic compounds. 

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