METHOD FOR REDUCTION OF UNSATURATED KETONES TO SATURATED KETONES Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC C07C49/04 C07C29/143 C07B35/02 

FIELD: organic chemistry, chemical technology.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method for synthesis of saturated ketones from corresponding unsaturated compounds (enones) using sodium dithionite as a reducing agent in an aqueous-organic medium based on surface-active substances. Method is carried out by reduction of unsaturated ketones of the general formula (I): to saturated ketones of the general formula (II): wherein R means lower alkyl or phenyl; R¹ means hydrogen atom, (C₃-C₆)-alkyl or phenyl; R² means alkyl or (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, or alkyl substitutes R¹ and R² can form in common 5-6-membered carbocycle; R³ means hydrogen atom. The reduction reaction is carried out with sodium dithionite in an aqueous-organic microemulsion medium containing a surface-active substance as a solubilizing agent, aliphatic alcohols of normal or branched structure with number of carbon atoms from 3 to 5 as a co-solubilizing agent, and water in the mole ratio = 1:(4-6):(200-400), respectively, in the presence of electrolyte. The end substance is isolated by extraction. Method involves using anionic or cationic surface-active substances of the general formula: C_nH_2n+1X wherein X means -OSO₃M, -SO₃M, -COOM, -NMe₃Hlg (wherein M means alkaline metal or ammonium; Hlg means halide); n = 11-16. Alkaline metal carbonates or hydrocarbonates are used as an electrolyte. Invention provides using inexpensive available reducing agent, simplifying process, enhancing purity and yield of the end substance.

EFFECT: improved method of synthesis.

3 cl, 9 ex