Kinetics and mechanism of the nickel(II)- and copper(II)- promoted reduction of di-2-pyridyl ketone with sodium tetrahydroborate

Abstract

The kinetics of reduction of di-2-pyridyl ketone with NaBH₄ leading to the formation of di-2-pyridylmethanol (dpm) was studied in the presence of Ni^II or Cu^II. The metal ion-promoted reduction involved two successive intermediates. Based on the visible spectra and kinetic data concerning the intermediates, it is proposed that the first intermediate is the nickel(I) or copper(I) complex of the anion of dpm and that the second intermediate is the corresponding complex of dpm.