Wolff-Kishner reaction

noun

Wolff-Kish·​ner reaction

ˈwu̇lfˈkishnə(r)-

: an indirect reduction of an aldehyde or ketone to the corresponding hydrocarbon by heating the hydrazone or semicarbazone derivative with an alcoholic solution of sodium ethoxide or with solid potassium hydroxide

Word History

Etymology

after Ludwig Wolff fl1914 and N. Kishner fl1914 German chemists

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