Wolf-Kishner reduction & Clemmenson reduction can be used to reduce what class of compounds? Please explain in detail.
Solution-
In both Clemmensen reduction and Wolf-Kishner reduction reactions, aldehydes and ketones are reduced to methylene group to form hydrocarbons. Let us have a look on example of each reaction.
Clemmensen reduction: This involves the reduction of an aldehyde or a ketone with zinc amalgam and conc. hydrochloric acid.
Wolf-Kishner reduction: In this reaction, aldehyde or ketone is heated with hydrazine and KOH in a high boiling solvent such as ethylene glycol. Reduce carbonyl group into methylene group.