View source for Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction

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The '''Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley''' ('''MPV''') reduction in organic chemistry is the reduction of [[ketone]]s and [[aldehyde]]s to their corresponding [[alcohol]]s utilizing aluminium alkoxide catalysis in the presence of a sacrificial alcohol. The advantages of the MPV reduction lie in its high chemoselectivity, and its use of a cheap environmentally friendly metal catalyst.

==General==
One of the great draws of the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction is its chemoselectivity. Aldehydes are reduced before ketones allowing for a measure of control over the reaction. If it is necessary to reduce one carbonyl in the presence of another, the common carbonyl protecting groups may be employed. Groups, such as alkenes and alkynes, that normally pose a problem for reduction by other means have no reactivity under these conditions.

The aluminium based Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction can be performed on prochiral ketones leading to chiral alcohols. The three main ways to achieve the asymmetric reduction is by use of a chiral alcohol hydride source, use of an intramolecular MPV reduction, or use of a chiral ligand on the aluminium alkoxide.

==References==
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===Relevant Sciencemadness threads===
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=11873 Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reaction]

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