Cerium-free Luche reduction directed by rehydrated alumina

A 1,2-regioselective reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones to their corresponding allylic alcohols is accomplished with NaBH4 in the presence of acidic activated alumina rehydrated to the Brockmann II grade by adding 3 % w/w water. The substrate scope includes eight ketones reduced in high regio- and diastereoselectivity to their corresponding allylic alcohols. This is the first example of the strategy of systematically tuning the surface …