Highly efficient reduction of ferrocenyl aldehyde and ketones in ionic liquids

For the first time ferrocenyl aldehyde and ketones were effectively reduced to alkylferrocene using sodium borohydride and aluminum chloride in an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm]BF4). Mild reaction conditions, enhanced rates, improved yields, and recyclable ionic liquid are the remarkable features exhibited in this process.