Reductions of C=O

[net_nubie]

Can someone please tell me the difference between Clemensen's reduction and the Wolf-Kisher reduction?

[TRCSF]

Well, they're related in that they both reduce ketones to the methylene.

The obvious difference is that one's acidic while the other's basic.

Clemmensen uses zinc and a strong acid, while Wolff-Kishner uses hydrazine and a base, often hydroxide.

[Gokul43201]

http://www.organic-chemistry.org/frames.htm?http://www.organic-chemistry.org/namedreactions/clemmensen-reduction.shtm

See link for Wolff-Kishner on above page.