A novel reducing agent. The reduction of dicarbonyls, acyloins, alkynes, and alkenes with active uranium

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(88)80144-X

Active uranium, prepared in hydrocarbon solvents from UCl4 and <(TMEDA)Li>2 is a novel reducing agent.The unprecedented stepwise reduction of benzil and benzoin to bibenzyl has been shown to proceed via the unsaturated species diphenylacetylene, cis-stilbene, and trans-stilbene.Active uranium also effects oligomerizations of diphenylacetylene and trans-stilbene.