Ketals, reduction to hydroxyalkyl

The reagent of choice for the reduction of ketals to ethers is alone prepared in situ from lithium aluminum hydride and aluminum chloride in ether. At room temperature ethers are obtained in 61-92% yields [792, 934]. Cyclic ketals prepared from ketones and 1,2- or 1,3-diols afford on hydrogenolysis by alanes alkyl P- or y-hydroxyalkyl ethers in 83-92% yields [792]. 

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