what is the use of aluminium isoproxide?

aluminium isopropoxide is a specific reducing agent for the reduction of carbonyl compounds into alcohols without affecting the other sensitive reducible groups...the reacn is reverrsible so it can also be employed for oxidation of alcohols...!

priyanka tata

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Al(O-i-Pr)3 or Aluminum Isopropoxide is an alkoxide useful in organic synthesis. It is used as a reducing agent in the MPV reaction and to oxidize alcohols to keytones in the Oppenauer oxidation. First the iodine reacts with the water to form hydrogen ions, hypoiodite ions and iodite ions. (equilibrium on far left) . The aluminum oxide reacts with the hydrogen ions to form aluminum ions and water Now the aluminum oxide is gone from the surface of the aluminum. The aluminum can now react with the mercury ions reducing the mercury 2+ ions to elemental mercury due to aluminum having a lower electronegativity than mercury. 2 Al + 3 Hg2+ -- 2 Al3+ + 3 Hg The elemental mercury reacts with the excess aluminum forming an amalgam of elemental aluminum and elemental mercury. The amalgam created is a liquid/solid (depending on aluminum mercury ratio). If a liquid state is obtained the high surface area of the aluminum makes a perfect state for a fast reaction between another chemical compound or element. x Al + Hg -- AlxHg Aluminum having a low electronegativity it gives off electrons making it a good reducing agent. The aluminum amalgam reacts with propan-2-ol specifically the hydroxy group of propan-2-ol reducing the hydrogen atom in the hydroxy group to yield elemental hydrogen. 2 Al + 6 (CH3)2CHOH ---- 2 ((CH3)2CHO)3Al + 3 H2 Be careful with HgCl2!

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Dear student,

Aluminium isopropoxide is the chemical compound usually described with the formula Al(O-i-Pr)₃, where i-Pr is the isopropyl group (CH(CH₃)₂). This colourless solid is a useful reagent in organic synthesis.