BIMOLECULAR REDUCTIONS OF AROMATIC KETONES AND ALDEHYDES WITH THE NORMAL-BUTYLLITHIUM-FE4S4(SPH)4 SYSTEM

Although a tetrakis(mercaptoμ-sulfido-iron) cluster1 is attractive as a model for a biological reducing agent of the ferredoxin type, 2 detailed descriptions as to function of the cluster are lacking. Recent studies have disclosed that the cluster catalyzes the transfer of electrons from external reductants to a nitrogen complex of molybdenum.3 We have tried to utilize the cluster as an electron transfer carrier in a general organic redox reaction and found that [Fe4S4-(SPh)4](n-Bu4N)2 (1) mediates the transfer of electrons from n-butyllithium to fluorenone.4 Herein, we wish to describe our findings that the n-butyllithium-l system is effective as a reducing system for the bimolecular reductions of several aromatic ketones and aldehydes. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.