Aluminum Isopropoxide

Other Names:

Aluminium Isopropoxide

Aluminum triisopropoxide

Aluminum isopropylate

AIP

General Information:

Structure:

CAS Number: 555-31-7

Molecular Weight: 204.25 g/mol

Appearance: White solid

Melting Point: 128-133 C

The main use of aluminum isopropoxide is in Oppenauer oxidations and Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reductions. The two reactions are part of a reversible process, the direction of which depends on whether excess acetone or excess IPA are present, congruent with Le Chatelier’s principle. For example, in the presence of excess acetone the reaction is driven to the right towards the ketone product (Oppenauer oxidation).

Common Uses:

Reagent in Oppenauer oxidations

Reagent in Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reductions

Safety:

Aluminum isopropoxide is corrosive, moisture sensitive, and flammable.

References:

1) Burke, S. D.; Danheiser, R. L.; Handbook of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Oxidizing and Reducing Agents

2) Wikipedia: Aluminium isopropoxide (link)

3) www.sigmaaldrich.com: Aluminum isopropoxide (link)

4) www.alfa.com: 14007 Aluminum isopropoxide, 98+% (link)

5) Kurti, L.; Czako, B.; Strategic Applications of Named Reactions in Organic Synthesis