Clemmensen reduction aromatic aldehydes

Like any aldehydes aromatic aldehydes undergo Clemmensen reduction [758, 778] and Wolff-Kizhner reduction [759, 774] and give the corresponding methyl compounds, generally in good yields. The same effect is accomplished by conversion of the aldehydes to p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazones followed by reduction with lithium aluminum hydride (p. 106). 

Reduction of unsaturated aromatic aldehydes to unsaturated hydrocarbons poses a serious problem, especially if the double bond is conjugated with the benzene ring or the carbonyl or both. In Clemmensen reduction the a,)8-unsaturated double bond is usually reduced [160], and in Wolff-Kizhner reduction a cyclopropane derivative may be formed as a result of decomposition of pyrazolines formed by intramolecular addition of the intermediate hydrazones across the double bonds [280]. The only way of converting unsaturated aromatic aldehydes to unsaturated hydrocarbons is the reaction of... 

Conversion of unsaturated aromatic aldehydes to saturated hydrocarbons can be realized by Clemmensen reduction [160]. 

The reduction of aldehydes and ketones. Aromatic hydrocarbons are the main products when aromatic aldehydes or ketones are reduced with amalgamated zinc and concentrated hydrochloric acid (the Clemmensen reduction, e.g. hexylbenzene, Expt 6.3). 

Because of carbonium ion generation, aromatic aldehydes and ketones can usually be reduced more easily than the corresponding aliphatic compounds. However, a modified Clemmensen reduction is an effective method to reduce isolated aliphatic carbonyl groups directly to methylene groups, and typical examples are shown in equations (4)-(6)." ... 

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