Rapid Wolff-Kishner reductions in a silicon carbide microreactorElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details and NMR spectra. See DOI: 10.1039/c3gc41942h

Wolff-Kishner reductions are performed in a novel silicon carbide microreactor. Greatly reduced reaction times and safer operation are achieved, giving high yields without requiring a large excess of hydrazine. The corrosion resistance of silicon carbide avoids the problematic reactor compatibility issues that arise when Wolff-Kishner reductions are done in glass or stainless steel reactors. With only nitrogen gas and water as by-products, this opens the possibility of performing selective, large scale ketone reductions without the generation of hazardous waste streams. Wolff-Kishner reductions are performed continuously in a silicon carbide microreactor. Short reactions times and safe operation are achieved, giving high yields without reactor corrosion issues using just 1.5 equivalents of hydrazine.