PHENYLLITHIUM–PYRIDINE ADDUCT AS A REDUCING AGENT FOR KETONES

Abstract
The reduction of ketones to the corresponding alcohols using 1,2-dihydro-2-phenylpyridyllithium has been studied. Benzophenone is reduced more readily than is acetophenone, which in turn is more readily reduced than cyclohexanone. It is suggested that the by-product formed in the reduction of benzophenone is 4-diphenylhydroxymethyl-2-phenylpyridine.