Wolff-Kishner Reduction Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the reagents, intermediates, and key components of the Wolff-Kishner reduction as presented in the lecture notes.

Wolff-Kishner Reduction

A chemical reaction identified as section $19.10$ that reduces a carbonyl group to a hydrocarbon ($CH_2$).

Hydrazine

The reagent ($H_2N-NH_2$) that reacts with an aldehyde or ketone to form a hydrazone intermediate.

Hydrazone

An intermediate species formed in the reaction after the addition of hydrazine to a carbonyl and the loss of $H_2O$.

KOH/H2O

A strong base and water mixture used in the second stage of the reaction to facilitate the loss of nitrogen gas.

Ethylene glycol

A high-boiling solvent used in conjunction with heat and $KOH/H_2O$ during the Wolff-Kishner reduction.

Nitrogen gas ($N_2$)

The byproduct represented as $N \rightleftharpoons N$ or $N \text{ loss}$ that is released during the final step of the reduction mechanism.